A late strike from Philip Billing ensured Napoli secured a crucial 1-1 draw against Serie A leaders Inter Milan on Saturday, keeping the title race tight with just one point separating the two sides at the top.
Federico Dimarco gave the defending champions the lead in the 22nd minute with a stunning free kick, silencing the packed Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
However, Danish midfielder Billing emerged as the hero for Napoli, coming off the bench to level the score in the 87th minute.
Inter now sit on 58 points, with Napoli close behind on 57. Atalanta, who played out a goalless draw against Venezia, remain two points adrift of Napoli.
The game started in a tense, scrappy manner, frequently halted as players received treatment. It took a moment of brilliance from a set-piece to break the deadlock, Dimarco’s expertly placed free kick curled around the wall, nestling into the far corner beyond the reach of Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret. The goal ignited the contest.
Napoli responded by pressing forward in search of an equalizer. Romelu Lukaku met a long pass with a first-time effort that smashed into the side netting, while Giacomo Raspadori had a golden chance moments later but miscontrolled the ball after rounding Inter keeper Josep Martínez.
Just before halftime, Raspadori set up another dangerous opportunity, but Lukaku’s close-range strike was blocked by Alessandro Bastoni, ensuring Inter carried their lead into the break.
Napoli dominated possession in the second half, piling on the pressure with a flurry of corners. Stanislav Lobotka combined well with Lukaku before firing over from the edge of the box.
Meanwhile, Scott McTominay’s fierce shot forced a strong save from Martínez, while a quick Inter counter-attack saw Meret rush out of his area to clear the danger with Denzel Dumfries charging forward.
Determined to put a disappointing February behind them, where three draws and a defeat cost them the top spot, Napoli refused to back down.
With time running out, manager Antonio Conte turned to Billing, who had joined on loan from Bournemouth in January and had made his debut in last week’s defeat at Como.
His impact was immediate. Played through by Lobotka, Billing’s initial shot was denied by Martínez’s outstretched leg, but he reacted quickly to bury the rebound, sparking wild celebrations and keeping Napoli firmly in the title race.
