Atalanta surged back to the top of the Serie A standings with a Charles De Ketelaere-inspired 3-2 win at home to Empoli on Sunday, while inconsistent Roma thrashed Parma 5-0.
De Ketelaere was twice on target for Atalanta in the topsy-turvy encounter — his second goal proving to be the winner with just four minutes left on the clock.
Ademola Lookman was also on the scoresheet to ensure Gian Piero Gasperini’s side leapfrogged Napoli back into top spot.
The Bergamo-based side restored their two-point buffer over Napoli, who had moved a point ahead of them following their 2-1 win at Genoa on Saturday.
Lorenzo Colombo gave 11th-placed Empoli the lead at the Gewiss Stadium in 13 minutes.
But De Ketelaere hit back to level for the Europa League champions four minutes after the half-hour.
Recently crowned African player of the year, Lookman got his 12th goal of the season in all competitions to put Atalanta in front in first half added time.
Sebastiano Esposito pegged back Atalanta on 57 minutes, converting from the penalty spot.
As the game crept towards a disappointing draw that would have still sent Atalanta back top on goal difference, Belgian midfielder De Ketelaere popped up with his fifth league goal this term in the 86th minute.
The 23-year-old showed skill and composure to glide along the edge of the box until a chance presented itself, and he then fired off a disguised left-footed shot that flashed past the goalkeeper.
Earlier, Roma bounced back from last weekend’s surprise 2-0 loss at Como, which had left Claudio Ranieri’s side within two points of the drop zone, to thump Parma in the Italian capital.
Paulo Dybala hit a brace, with goals also coming from Alexis Saelemaekers, Leandro Paredes, and Artem Dovbyk as Roma moved to 10th place.
Parma remain one point above the drop zone in 16th spot.
Dybala converted a penalty and Saelemaekers slammed home a volley to give the home side a 2-0 lead inside the opening quarter of an hour.
The Argentinian netted his second six minutes after the break. Paredes then scored from 12 yards in the 74th minute and Ukrainian striker Dovbyk put the cherry on top for the Romans with seven minutes remaining.
Venezia climbed off the bottom of the table with a vital 2-1 home win over fellow strugglers Cagliari.
Francesco Zampano and Marin Sverko scored either side of the break for the hosts before Leonardo Pavoletti pulled one back for the Sardinians inside the final 15 minutes.
The result leaves Cagliari 18th on 14 points, one ahead of Venezia, with Monza propping up the standings with 10 points.
Monza can send Venezia back to the bottom of the pile later on Sunday, but to do so they must inflict a first league defeat of the season on Juventus.
AFP
