Napoli back on top after Inter lose unbeaten record

Inter Milan suffered their first league defeat of the season when they least expected it Saturday, going down 3-1 at home to midtable Udinese, and were knocked off the top of Serie A by Napoli after they won by the same score at Torino. At the San Siro, a second-half penalty awarded with the help of the video assistant referee and converted by Rodrigo de Paul proved to be the turning point as Luciano Spalletti's Inter side were finally beaten in their 17th game. The referee initially signalled a goal kick but changed his mind and gave handball against Davide Santon after consulting the VAR.

115 - Marek Hamsik has now equalled Diego Armando Maradona, the best goalscorer in Napoli history: 115 goals apiece in all competitions. Icon. #TorinoNapoli pic.twitter.com/9gibblDMgq

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) December 16, 2017

Inter's defeat opened the door for Napoli to move back to the top of Serie A with 42 points from 17 games, two clear of Inter. Napoli captain Marek Hamsik equalled Diego Maradona's club record of 115 goals as his side raced to a 3-0 lead after half an hour at the Stadio Olimpico, suggesting that their recent scoring troubles are behind them. After failing to score in their last two league games, Napoli quickly refound their touch when Kalidou Koulibaly headed them in front after four minutes.

? #Sarri: "It's a long, hard season and all teams have dips in form. We've been playing well again since the second half against Fiorentina” ⚽️ #TorinoNapoli 1-3 ?? #SerieATIM? #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/d9zRba0kjQ

— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) December 16, 2017

Jorginho sent Piotr Zielsinki clear of Torino's defence for the second after 25 minutes and Hamsik fired home from Dries Mertens' pass to finish off a flowing move on the half hour. Andrea Belotti pulled one back for Torino just after the hour. Udinese' win over Inter was their third in four games under coach Massimo Oddo who replaced Luigi Delneri last month, lifting them clear of the danger zone and up to 11th.

? He's done it! ?

⚽️ Hamsik draws level with Maradona as Napoli's record goal scorer! ? 1⃣1⃣5⃣ goals in all competitions! ?#Napoli pic.twitter.com/hhdKpmfAk0— Unibet (@unibet) December 16, 2017

Udinese struck first when Kevin Lasagna scored from close range from Silvan Widmer's cross in the 14th minute but Mauro Icardi levelled one minute later, the Argentine's 17th league goal of the season. De Paul put Udinese back in front and Inter nearly levelled again when Milan Skriniar headed against the bar. Inter also claimed a penalty when Miranda went down in the area but the referee decided it did not even merit a consultation with the VAR. Inter were always vulnerable on the counter and Udinese settled the match when Antonin Barak scored from close range after Jakub Jankto burst down the flank and sent over a low cross.

FT | Inter 1-3 Udinese @MauroIcardi's goal wasn't enough as the visitors leave with the points. #InterUdinese pic.twitter.com/BHtk1WbdRg

— Inter (@Inter_en) December 16, 2017

RESULTSTorino 1 (Belotti 63) Napoli 3 (Koulibaly 4, Zielinski 25, Hamsik 30)Inter 1 (Icardi 15) Udinese 3 (Lasagna 14, De Paul 61-P, Barak 77)Roma 1 (Fazio 90+4) Cagliari 0 SUNDAY'S MATCHESVerona v Milan, Bologna v Juventus, Crotone v Chievo, Fiorentina v Genoa, Sampdoria v Sassuolo, Benevento v SPAL and Atalanta v Lazio