Serie A wrap: Cavani winner lifts Napoli, Milan edge Atalanta

Napoli have moved to within three points of Serie A leaders Juventus after a thrilling 2-1 win over Parma on Sunday.

Walter Mazzarri’s side went ahead after 20 minutes at the Stadio Ennio Tardini thanks to Marek Hamsik’s eighth goal of the season but shot themselves in the foot when Paolo Cannavaro put the ball in his own net in the 74th minute.

Napoli refused to give in, however, and were rewarded when star striker Edinson Cavani rounded Parma keeper Antonio Mirante to tuck home the winner with just five minutes left on the clock.

The result ensures Napoli capitalise on Juventus’ shock draw to Genoa on Friday and keep their Scudetto aspirations well and truly alive.

Elsewhere, AC Milan stepped up their hunt for a European berth next season with a 1-0 away win over Atalanta thanks to a goal from starlet Stephan El Shaarawy.

The 20-year-old tucked home a pinpoint through-ball from M’Baye Niang after 30 minutes to score his 15th goal of the season and hand his side a much-needed three points.

The Rossoneri have now won six of their past eight Serie A outings and are fifth on the table, six points behind Lazio who occupy the final Champions League place.

Roma lived up to their reputation as Serie A’s most entertaining side after they played out a remarkable 3-3 draw against Bologna.

The league’s most prolific side went ahead after just nine minutes thanks a cool Alessandro Florenzi finish only for veteran striker Alberto Gilardino to level the scores eight minutes later.

The capital side immediately regained the lead when Pablo Osvaldo headed in a Miralem Pjanic cross but they were once again pegged back thanks to a Manolo Gabbiadini strike after 26 minutes.

Atalanta went ahead for the first time just after half-time when Cristian Pasquato took full advantage of some calamitous Roma defending.

However, Roma managed to salvage a point when Panagiotis Tachtsidis headed home a Francesco Totti free-kick in the 74th minute to round out the scoring in what was a thrilling encounter at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.

In the day’s other games, Sampdoria eased relegation concerns by smashing fellow strugglers Pescara 6-0, Catania recorded an important 2-1 over fellow European hopefuls Fiorentina, Udinese overcame bottom side Siena 1-0 and Cagliari struck in the final minute to snatch a point in their 1-1 draw with Palermo.

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