McTominay winner keeps Napoli in the title hunt
A second-half header from Scott McTominay secured a 1-0 win for Napoli at relegation-threatened Monza to keep its Serie A title challenge alive.
McTominay nodded home to put Napoli in front in the 72nd minute, scoring from a lofted cross from the corner of the area by Giacomo Raspadori.
The win moved Antonio Conte's team level on points with leader Inter Milan.
Monza gave a good account of itself in the first half, Pedro Pereira going close as the visitors struggled to get into the game.
But Napoli took control in the second period, McTominay eventually breaking through with his ninth league goal of the season.
Second-placed Napoli will now hope for a favour from Bologna when it takes on defending champion Inter on Monday (AEST).
Napoli coach Antonio Conte said he thinks his squad is going beyond its limits to keep pace with Inter in the title race.
"We are fighting for something unexpected and unimaginable," Conte said.
"At the beginning of the year, who would have said that Napoli would fight with Inter for first place?
"We are really going beyond all limits."
Napoli, which has struggled on the road recently, secured its first away win since mid-January in this match.
It was the first time it has won successive league games since a run of seven straight wins between December and January.
"Away from home we haven't won for a while. Today we did and I am also happy with the fact that the team was always in the game, a synonym of great maturity," Conte added.
"We need to continue to believe and have a bit of luck. Unfortunately, luck has been very tough on us since January.
"But we believe in it, the players are commendable in difficult times. In difficult times, we are creating an important foundation.
"Seeing all the public supporting us and dreaming with us excites us. But it gives me enormous responsibilities."
