Napoli bounced back in Serie A, overcoming an early deficit to secure a 2-1 victory over struggling Genoa, reclaiming the top spot in the league table.
Patrick Vieira’s side remain without a league win this season but took an early lead in the 33rd minute thanks to teenage sensation Jeff Ekhator.
Napoli, however, fought back, with André-Frank Zambo Anguissa equalizing in the 57th minute before Rasmus Højlund netted his fourth goal since joining on loan from Manchester United to hand the visitors a 75th-minute winner.
The Partenopei had their perfect title defense run halted last weekend following a defeat to AC Milan, though they returned to winning ways in midweek with a Champions League victory over Sporting Lisbon.
Manager Antonio Conte opted to rest Kevin De Bruyne, with David Neres starting in his place.
Napoli started the match strongly, with Højlund nearly capitalizing on a defensive miscue by Alessandro Marcandalli as early as the seventh minute.
Matteo Politano also missed a golden opportunity when Neres sprinted down the left flank and sent in a cross that bypassed Scott McTominay and Højlund, only for Politano to send his effort over the bar.
Genoa took advantage of Napoli’s missed chances, with 18-year-old Ekhator showcasing his skill to put the hosts ahead.
Brooke Norton-Cuffy’s run down the right set up Ekhator, who backheeled the ball into the bottom corner.
Napoli’s afternoon became more challenging just before halftime when Stanislav Lobotka was forced off injured, replaced by Billy Gilmour.
Matteo Politano also succumbed to injury in the second half, prompting Conte to introduce De Bruyne.
The visitors soon found the equalizer: Leonardo Spinazzola delivered a cross from the left, Højlund contested it, and Anguissa arrived from the right to head it into the net.
Napoli dominated the remainder of the match, with Nicola Leali making a key save from Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Højlund seeing a goal ruled out for offside. Di Lorenzo later struck the post from a De Bruyne corner before the decisive moment arrived.
Højlund, a constant threat throughout the evening, was in the perfect position to convert a rebound after Spinazzola and McTominay set up Anguissa for a shot that Leali could only parry, sealing Napoli’s comeback and a vital three points.
