NAPOLI are one step closer to winning the Scudetto after a narrow victory over struggling Lecce.
And Scotland hero Scott McTominay was once again at the heart of the action.
GettyScott McTominay in action for Napoli this evening[/caption]
GettyBilly Gilmour joins in the celebrations at full-time against Lecce[/caption]
The former Manchester United midfielder has been a revelation in Serie A since his move from Old Trafford to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for £25m in the summer.
He broke a 63-year-old record last weekend by scoring his 11th and 12th goals from Napoli in a defeat of Torino, the most for a Scot in a single season in Italy since the King himself, Denis Law.
The 28-year-old has truly endeared himself to the Naples faithful, earning himself a new nickname and becoming so popular that fans have gotten tattoos in his honour.
McTominay played the full 90 minutes in this evening’s win over Lecce, as Napoli came out on top 1-0 at the Stadio Via del Mare.
It was a nervier night than Antonio Conte perhaps expected, with Giacomo Raspadori’s 23rd minute goal the only one of the contest.
The away side were in control for most of the match but couldn’t find that elusive second goal and there were hearts in the mouths when a late cross almost crept in at the back post for the hosts.
McTominay’s fellow Scotland international, Billy Gilmour, came on as a sub in the second half after nine minutes and helped to see out the game.
The result puts Napoli six points clear of Inter Milan, who were the previous favourites for the title.
But they’ve stumbled of late and Simone Inzaghi’s side have the small matter of a winner-takes-all Champions League semi-final against Barcelona to come soon too.
Inter are still to play this weekend as they take on Verona at the San Siro.
Victory for the Nerazzurri would reduce the deficit to three points with three games to go in the title race.
If Napoli do go on to win the Scudetto, it would repeat the feat they achieved in the Maradona era, when the club claimed two titles within three years.
Conte had been speaking about McTominay’s spectacular form since arriving in Italy prior to today’s match.
He said: “He feels more complete and knowledgeable and he’s reaching a key stage in his career where he needs to decide his direction. He never had a primary role at Man United, while here we gave him one.
“He’s worked hard and now he’s a complete player. His improvement has been shared by the whole team. Otherwise, it would be hard to explain how we’ve earned 74 points.”
Conte also said: “We know it would be exceptional (if we won Serie A), but we haven’t done anything yet. I know football well and we need to remain focused.
“I’ve won a few Scudetti and right now we’re trying to do something unimaginable, incredible, something that could definitely bring huge excitement to the club and the city.”
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