SSC Napoli maintained their Serie A title challenge with a dominant 3-0 victory over Empoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Friday. The victory, which extended their unbeaten home league run to seven matches, was built on a clinical performance from Scott McTominay, who scored twice to help secure all three points for the title-chasing Neapolitans.
Empoli’s Early Promise Falters
Despite being second-bottom of Serie A, Empoli started the match brightly, making a strong impression early on. The visitors looked lively and played with intent, holding possession well and pressing Napoli when they had the ball. However, Empoli was unable to translate their good play into clear-cut chances, with their final ball lacking precision.
It felt as if Empoli had missed their chance to capitalize on their early dominance, and Napoli soon made them pay for it. In the 28th minute, the hosts took the lead with a clinical strike from Scott McTominay. The Scotsman, who has been in excellent form, found himself with time and space on the edge of the box. With a composed finish, McTominay placed his shot into the left-hand corner of the net, leaving Empoli goalkeeper Devis Vasquez with no chance.
Napoli’s Growing Confidence
With the opening goal, Napoli grew in confidence, dominating possession and creating chances. Matteo Politano tested Vasquez with a curling effort from the edge of the area, while David Neres had an opportunity when Politano provided a chipped cross from the byline. Vasquez showed quick reflexes, tipping Neres’ header over the bar to keep the scoreline at 1-0 as the teams went into the break.
Napoli’s relentless attacking style was evident, and they came out of the halftime break eager to double their lead. Just two minutes after the restart, they almost did when Juan Jesus’ header from a corner went just over the bar.
Lukaku and McTominay Seal the Victory
Napoli’s persistence finally paid off in the 54th minute when they extended their lead to 2-0. Billy Gilmour’s perfectly timed pass into the area found Mathías Olivera, who controlled the ball before squaring it to Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian striker, who has found his rhythm in Naples, made no mistake with a powerful left-footed finish from close range to give Napoli a comfortable advantage.
Just five minutes later, McTominay sealed his brace and put the game beyond doubt. Lukaku provided a pinpoint cross to the back post, where McTominay rose highest to head the ball into the net, completing a dominant performance from the home side.
With two goals, Scott McTominay is the Panini Player of the Match! #NapoliEmpoli pic.twitter.com/2Pr7s8Q4aE
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) April 14, 2025
McTominay’s brace was his first since December 2023, and it was crucial in keeping Napoli’s title hopes alive. The midfielder’s goals ensured the three points for the hosts, closing the gap to Serie A leaders Inter Milan to just three points, keeping the title race incredibly tight as the season heads into its final stretch.
Napoli’s Title Challenge Continues
This victory was vital for Napoli, who had been plagued by too many draws in recent weeks. Prior to this match, no team in Europe’s top five leagues had drawn more games than Napoli in the preceding nine rounds of action. With the win against Empoli, they were able to put pressure back on Inter, who currently hold the top spot in Serie A.
6 games remain! Here’s how the table looks pic.twitter.com/V38VEKrTCt
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) April 14, 2025
The team, led by manager Antonio Conte, showed that they are not giving up on their title aspirations. With the likes of McTominay and Lukaku firing on all cylinders, Napoli looks poised to make a push for the championship, provided they can continue their strong form in the coming weeks.
Empoli’s Struggles Continue
For Empoli, this defeat was another blow in their battle against relegation. Despite their positive start, they were unable to capitalize on their early promise, and Napoli’s superior quality and clinical finishing in the second half ensured that the game was out of reach by the final whistle. Empoli remains stuck in 19th place, still three points adrift of safety, and will need to drastically improve their performances in upcoming matches to avoid relegation.
Their inability to convert possession into goals, coupled with defensive lapses, highlighted the challenges they face in Serie A. While the team has shown glimpses of quality, they are still searching for a consistent way to escape the relegation zone and secure their top-flight status for next season.
A Strong Napoli Performance
Napoli’s 3-0 win over Empoli was a crucial result in their pursuit of Serie A glory. With McTominay’s brace and Lukaku’s involvement in both goals, the team showed their attacking potential and ability to bounce back from recent disappointing draws. The victory also allowed Napoli to keep the pressure on Inter, who remain at the top of the table.
The win is a statement of intent for Napoli as they look to build momentum in the closing stages of the season. With their sights firmly set on the title, they will hope to maintain this level of performance and continue to challenge for the championship in what promises to be an exciting conclusion to the Serie A season.
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