Roma 0-1 Napoli result – David Neres seals all three points as defending champions go second in Serie A table

David Neres scored the only goal in a largely uneventful Derby Del Sole as Napoli claimed three points against on of their title rivals in a 1-0 win at the Stadio Olimpico.

Roma went into the weekend top of the standings but faced another daunting challenge having already stumbled at the hands of title rivals Internazionale and AC Milan this season.

And it was the defending champions who came to the Italian capital looking to close in on the top spot and kickstart a busy festive period with a winning start.

Antonio Conte’s side started on the front foot, looking to threaten their opponents with long balls over the top, and they were denied an early opener when Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar was forced to leave his box to deny Noa Lang as Rasmus Hojlund looked to score on the follow-up.

Napoli would go close once again through Giovanni Di Lorenzo as he connected with Neres’ cross at the back post but failed to squeeze the ball the other side of the post.

Roma would have opportunities of their own as Amir Rrahmani was forced to concede a corner as Lorenzo Pellegrini released an inviting low cross into the box, whil Evan Ferguson headed over the crossbar moments later.

Napoli finally opened the scoring in the 36th minute through a slick counter-attack started and finished by Neres from his own half, as he combined with Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund before negotiating a one-on-one situation with goalkeeper Svilar and slotting his second of the season.

The second half was largely uneventful with Napoli looking to deny Roma a way back into the game.

Svilar was once again on hand to deny Napoli as Neres sent in another inviting cross for Scott McTominay to flick home with the Serbian goalkeeper punching clear, whilst Lang would cause problems again as he threaded Hojlund through on goal.

Roma looked a shadow of themselves against the defending champions in another test of their title ambitions, but they were nearly able to grab an equaliser in stoppage time with their best move of the evening.

Substitutes Paulo Dybala and Tommaso Baldanzi combined as Vanja Milinkovic-Savic was forced into a quick reaction low save to secure all three points for his side.

Napoli moved level on points with leaders AC Milan, whilst Roma drop to fourth in the standings.

Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

It is all over!

And it is a MASSIVE three points for the defending champions, who go level on points with AC Milan at the top of the Serie A table.

Mathias Olivera takes out El Aynaoui to cut out another Roma move as the clock ticks away.

El Shaarawy goes into the book.

Will Roma find a equaliser or will Napoli kill this game off?

Brilliant from Roma in their best move of the evening and it's brilliant by the Napoli goalkeeper to keep his side ahead.

Dybala sets up Baldanzi, which forces Milinokovic-Savic to make a superb quick reaction save.

Evan Ndicka is the next player to go into the referee's book for a foul of Lucca.

Tonight's goalscorer goes down with what appears to be cramp and requires treatment.

It looks like he'll come off in favour of Lorenzo Lucca.

Stephan El Shaarawy replaces Wesley in Roma's final change.

Does this Roma side have anything in them to find an equaliser?

Leon Bailey comes on for Lorenzo Pellegrini

Eljif Elmas replaces Rasmus Hojlund, who added an assist to his tally this evening.

Sometimes you just have to shoot from distance when things aren't happening for you and it's not horrific by Lorenzo Pellegrini but it's rising over the crossbar.

Napoli move forward and it's the substitute Matteo Politano who chooses to go from distance but Svilar is equal to it.

Baldanzi is having just as much service as Ferguson did in the first half and Roma are struggling to put together a couple of passes.

Only a goal in this one but so far, Napoli are worthy of their lead.

The half-time sub goes in for a sliding challenge on Rrahmani and is understandably booked in response.

Antonio Conte opts to replace Noa Lang with Matteo Politano.

Lang has caused problems for Roma tonight but Politano will likely offer some fresh legs for the away side.

Roma are in need of something special at the moment to level things up but that was ambitious from Zeki Chelik as he attempts to go from range but it's too high.

Roma put together an inviting piece of play but Wesley appears to see a ghost in the centre of goal but his cross is overcooked and fails to find a red shirt.

It's getting a bit stop-start at the moment with fouls coming from left, right and centre.

The fans show their frustration in response.

Sam Beukema is the latest player to go into the referee's book.

25 minutes to go.