Napoli edge Milan, Roma seal derby spoils

SSC Napoli claimed an eye-catching 2-1 victory at AC Milan to return top of the Serie A standings alongside AS Roma, who downed SS Lazio 2-0 in the capital derby.

Having dispatched Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, Napoli continued their excellent start to the season by engineering a fourth consecutive domestic success. Miguel Britos headed in the opener against an injury-hit Milan side on six minutes, and Gonzalo Higuaín doubled the deficit shortly after the interval.

Mario Balotelli had a chance to respond when he was awarded a penalty after being impeded in the area, but following 21 successful spot kicks he failed to convert for the first time in his career – Pepe Reina making the save. The Italy striker finally hit the target in added time, and his eventful evening then concluded with a red card.

As for Roma, they had goals from Federico Balzaretti and Adem Ljajić to thank for their 2-0 success against Lazio, who lost André Dias to a late dismissal. Juventus won as well, with Carlos Tévez and Fernando Llorente completing a 2-1 comeback victory at home to Hellas Verona FC.

In the early kick-off, Diego Milito registered twice as FC Internazionale Milano powered seven unanswered goals past point-less US Sassuolo Calcio to maintain their unbeaten start to the season. As for ACF Fiorentina, they eased past Atalanta BC 2-0 thanks to strikes from Matías Fernández and Giuseppe Rossi. Elsewhere, Torino FC posted a 2-1 victory at ten-man Bologna FC and the game between Calcio Catania and Parma FC finished goalless.