Napoli leave Roma down in the dumps

The Stadio Olimpico has been converted into a good ground for Napoli, who won at Roma for the third successive season in a match where Carlo Ancelotti's men punished a Roma side who are going through a rough spell. 

After the resignation of the sporting director, Ramon Rodriguez 'Monchi' and the sacking of coach Eusebio Di Francesco, Roma appointed Claudio Ranieri to try and change the club's fortunes in a disappointing season, but Ranieri is not giving the desired effect. 

The home side lasted less than two minutes before Napoli took the lead. Arkadiusz Milik scored a brilliant goal and the visitors were in complete command. 

Roma levelled the scores just before half-time and when Diego Perotti equalised from the penalty spot in the last minute of the half, but it was brief respite for Ranieri's team.

The Belgian Dries Mertens and Simone Verdi, with two goals in the first ten minutes of the second half, and the Germman Amine Younes made the score 1-4 at the Olimpico against a Roma team incapable of fighting back and shaken by the whistles by their own fans. 

It was a comprehensive victory for Napoli, who are now almost certain to get second place. They are currently 10 points clear of Inter Milan and 15 behind leaders Juventus, who have already started looking ahead to their 35th league title. 

Roma are now in sixth place, four points off the Champions League and were disconsolate on leaving the pitch. In fact, many fans left the stadium well before the referee blew the final whistle.