Napoli 3-3 Roma: Balerdi's late header rescues point as Lazio go top of Serie A

Napoli and Roma drew 3-3 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Saturday in one of the most open games of the Serie A season. Roma were 2-0 down and then 3-2 down, and Leonardo Balerdi headed in an equaliser a minute from time. In Rome, Lazio beat Parma 2-1 and went top of the table.

Six goals in the Derby del Sole

Napoli took the lead before the half-hour through Frank Anguissa. Matteo Politano's free kick was only partly cleared, and Anguissa scored with an overhead kick. Scott McTominay headed a second just after half-time. Both of his goals in this game were his first in Serie A this season.

Roma stayed in the game thanks largely to goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, who made several close-range saves, one of them from Politano. They hit back in the second half. Matias Soule scored from long range in the 69th minute, and Balerdi levelled five minutes later. McTominay put Napoli back in front at 3-2 with seven minutes left. In the 89th minute Balerdi headed in again. The ball was clawed onto the post but had already crossed the line.

Napoli argued that Sam Beukema had been fouled in the build-up to the equaliser. Coach Massimiliano Allegri was sent off from the touchline for dissent. Earlier, Napoli had also been unhappy when the ball hit Gollini's arm as he came off his line to block Kevin De Bruyne. Officials ruled that his arm was in front of his body and gave no penalty.

Roma keep their unbeaten run

Roma could have gone top with a win. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are still unbeaten in the league this season, and reports put their Serie A run without defeat at 15 matches, going back to April. Gasperini said his players were pleased with the point and that morale was high.

Roma were missing several players, including Paulo Dybala, Manu Kone, first-choice goalkeeper Mile Svilar and Lorenzo Pellegrini. Pellegrini was badly hurt in the midweek 4-0 Champions League win over Slovan Bratislava. Napoli were without Alessandro Buongiorno and David Neres, among others, after losing 3-1 to Venezia in the previous round. Napoli are ninth.

Gattuso's Lazio take the lead

Lazio beat Parma 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico. Kenneth Taylor scored early in the second half, his first goal of the season, and Parma defender Diego Carlos put through his own net a few minutes later. Simone Lontani pulled one back in stoppage time. Gennaro Gattuso's team have dropped only two points in eight games and lead the table on 22.

Elsewhere, Anastasios Douvikas scored twice as Cesc Fabregas's Como beat Sassuolo 2-0 and moved fourth. Bologna won 2-0 at Cagliari through Nicolo Casale and Federico Bernardeschi.

Inter can draw level on Sunday

Inter are three points behind Lazio with a game in hand. They host Fiorentina on Sunday at 7.30pm Malaysia time, and a win would put them level with Lazio. Lecce v Juventus starts at 1am on Monday Malaysia time, and Udinese v AC Milan closes the round at 3.45am.

Key takeaways

• Napoli 3-3 Roma: Anguissa and McTominay (2) scored for Napoli; Soule and Balerdi (2) for Roma.
• Roma came from behind twice and are still unbeaten in Serie A this season.
• Allegri was sent off for dissent after Roma's late equaliser.
• Lazio beat Parma 2-1 and lead Serie A with 22 points from eight games.
• Inter, three points back with a game in hand, host Fiorentina on Sunday.

FAQ

Who scored in Napoli v Roma? Frank Anguissa and Scott McTominay (twice) scored for Napoli. Matias Soule and Leonardo Balerdi (twice) scored for Roma.

Who is top of Serie A? Lazio, with 22 points after beating Parma 2-1. Inter are three points behind and have played one game fewer.

What time is Inter v Fiorentina in Malaysia? It kicks off at 7.30pm Malaysia time on Sunday, 25 October.

Sources: beIN Sports, Football Italia, Reuters, Jamaica Observer, Football Web Pages