Victor Osimhen inspired Napoli to a spirited win away against Sampdoria in the Serie A on Sunday and get their title challenge back on track.
Napoli suffered a 1-0 defeat – their first loss of the league season – to Inter Milan last week and Osimhen was shut out in the game.
However, on Sunday at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium, the 24 year-old showed why he is one of the league’s most dreaded forwards as his execution under pressure put the league leaders ahead in the 19th minute.
Luciano Spalletti’s side had spurned a chance to take the lead earlier when Matteo Politano struck his effort against the upright when Napoli were given a chance from the spot.
Osimhen remained a thorn in the side of the Sampdoria defenders pulling off 5 shots – the most by any player in the game.
He also owned Tomas Rincon who was shown a red card for tripping the Nigerian as he advanced into the box.
That one man advantage would eventually play out in favor of the visitors who snatched the game winner in 82nd minute through Eljif Elmas, from the penalty spot.
So far, Osimhen has stretched his lead in the golden shoe race to 10 goals, two more than second placed Lautaro MartÃnez.
Victory will ensure I Partenopei keep a healthy lead atop the Serie A table; four points should AC Milan beat AS Roma in their round of 17 matches.
