Osimhen nets as Napoli stumble in Serie A title chase after Fiorentina loss

Napoli’s Scudetto hopes suffered a huge blow after a 3-2 home defeat to in-form Fiorentina despite a stunning strike from Victor Osimhen.

Luciano Spaletti’s side made a bright start with the returning Osimhen heading wide with the goal at his mercy and also having an effort disallowed for offside.

Christian Kouame (2R) celebrates after scoring a goal during the Italian Serie A football match between SSC Napoli and Fiorentina

La Viola slowly grew in confidence and took the lead when a headed clearance fell to Nicolás González who hammered the ball in off the post for his fourth goal of the season.

The visitors continued to waste opportunities with Mario Rui blazing the ball over from close range.

Splaetti brought on striker Hirzing Lozano and Dries Mertens in the second half for some more attacking firepower.

It was more of the same from Napoli with their final ball letting them down until Mertens equalised with his first touch with a pinpoint low strike into the bottom corner for his first goal since January.

The hosts then made a couple of changes and it was sub Jonathan Ikone who also netted with his first touch, lashing the ball into the bottom corner a minute after coming on.

And Fiorentina went further ahead through Brazilian Arthur Cabral’s solo effort.

The visitors reduced their deficit through a spectacular half volley from Nigeria forward Osimhen in the closing stages but Fiorentina held on to climb to seventh while Napoli remain third and a point behind Serie A leaders AC Milan who have a game in hand.