In-form Napoli edge past Cagliari to move within six points of Serie A leaders Inter

[p]The hosts got off to a nightmare start, falling behind in the opening 90 seconds when a calamitous sequence of events unfolded.[/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/caprile-elia/rBsmDlYq/"]Elia Caprile[/a] was initially caught in possession by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/hojlund-rasmus/0lk9Mt7D/"]Rasmus Hojlund[/a], who won a cheap corner kick that was played short and eventually swung towards the back post, where a frantic scramble took place, with the ball ricocheting off the post before falling for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mctominay-scott/A7S3y397/"]Scott McTominay[/a] to convert from close range.[/b][/p][embed guid="c57f3e84-eb09-4832-b350-857a1bc32c0d" url="https://x.com/SerieA_EN/status/2035050196736868799" social-type="twitter" /][p]It could’ve got worse for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/cagliari/SCGVmKHb/"]Cagliari[/a] shortly after when [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/politano-matteo/lxWZKRDD/"]Matteo Politano[/a] found space to whip a shot towards the near post, but Caprile did well to divert the ball wide.[/p][p]Following the bright start, the visitors did begin to come unstuck midway through the half as they struggled for fluency in attack, but [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/milinkovic-savic-vanja/Mw0wd0xM/"]Vanja Milinkovic-Savic[/a] didn’t have a save to make as the home side ended the first period without a shot on target.[/p][image alt="Key match stats" id="7378e915-30b0-413c-abe8-0d81924735ad" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="6f946df2-4882-4727-a5f0-6bfcf7658a1b" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p]The visitors continued to threaten after the restart and had a golden chance to double their lead on 55’ when Politano was played in behind, but his drilled finish was straight at Caprile, who made the stop.[/p][p]As the game progressed, the hosts made changes in an effort to spark some inspiration into their attacking play, but the stoppages in play seemingly hampered any attempts to build momentum.[/p][p]Seeking their fifth straight win in this fixture, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/napoli/69Dxbc61/"]Napoli[/a] were able to see the game out comfortably, with Cagliari ultimately failing to land a shot on target over the entirety of the game.[/p][image alt="Match momentum" id="2ea99b44-46f9-4e95-870a-9384cf364861" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="bf61da1a-4924-4678-937f-884a35bf1be8" original-width="1920" original-height="1080" /][p]The result sees Napoli move into second spot, six points behind leaders [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/inter/Iw7eKK25/"]Inter Milan[/a], albeit having played a game more.[/p][p]The seven-game winless run means Cagliari are in danger of slipping into a relegation battle, as Fabio Pisacane’s side could be only three points clear of the bottom three if results go against them this weekend.[/p][p][b]Flashscore Man of the Match: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mctominay-scott/A7S3y397/"]Scott McTominay[/a] (Napoli)[/b][/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/cagliari-SCGVmKHb/napoli-69Dxbc61/summary/stats/?mid=xbLAJJeK"]Catch up on the match stats with Flashscore.[/a][/b][/p]