McTominay earns leaders Napoli 1-0 win at Torino

TURIN: A first-half goal by Scott McTominay earned leaders Napoli a 1-0 win at Torino in Serie A on Sunday to keep them clear at the top of the standings.

The Scotland midfielder found the net around the half-hour mark when he struck a shot powerfully inside the near post after receiving a precise pass from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Napoli remained top with 32 points, four clear of Atalanta, Inter Milan, Fiorentina and Lazio.

Torino, who went unbeaten in their two games against Napoli last season, caused problems for the visitors throughout the game.

But they lacked scoring opportunities, with their only attempt on target coming after halftime through a weak shot from Mergim Vojvoda.

Torino defended well and goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic repeatedly thwarted Napoli’s attack.

The Serb dived to keep out a low back-heel shot by Romelu Lukaku in the 23rd minute before showing off his reflexes again when he stretched to deny Kvaratskhelia’s header.

McTominay found a way past the keeper in the 31st minute to score his third Serie A goal of the season.

Torino should have levelled in the 37th minute through Saul Coco, who had an excellent chance from point-blank range but slipped and failed to take the shot.

Milinkovic-Savic continued his stellar form after the restart when he saved a dangerous header from Mathias Olivera.

He was beaten by forward David Neres in stoppage time but the effort from the Napoli substitute was ruled out for offside.

Torino, who have lost seven of their last nine league games,are 12th on 15 points.

Napoli kept their ninth clean sheet this season, the second most among the sides in the top five European leagues behind Juventus with 10.

Lazio suffered their first defeat after five consecutive league wins when they lost 3-1 at 11th-placed Parma.

Napoli visit Lazio in the Coppa Italia last 16 on Thursday before hosting the Rome side in the league next Sunday.