Fiorentina 0-3 Napoli: Scott McTominay strikes again as visitors go clear at top of Serie A standing - 'Unimaginable'

Napoli moved clear on top of Serie A with a statement 3-0 win over Fiorentina on Saturday. Scott McTominay continued his strong start to life in Italy by scoring his fifth goal of the season in all competitions to finish the job after earlier strikers from David Neres and Romelu Lukaku. Napoli moved top on 44 points, a total that assistant coach Cristian Stellini described as "unimaginable."

Scott McTominay applied the finishing touch to Napoli’s 3-0 win over Fiorentina with his fifth goal of the season as the Partenopei went clear at the top of Serie A.

Scotland international McTominay has made an impressive start to life in Naples since making a £25 million move from Manchester United in the summer, quickly becoming an ever-present in Antonio Conte’s midfield.

McTominay profited on some dozy defending to coolly finish into the bottom corner in the 68th minute and put the result beyond doubt in Florence.

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David Neres’ superb solo effort had given Napoli a half-time lead at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, with Moise Kean seeing a leveller ruled out for handball.

Some clumsy defending gave Romelu Lukaku the chance to convert a penalty after 54 minutes to double Napoli’s lead, the Belgian striker beating his former Man Utd team-mate David De Gea in the Fiorentina goal.

McTominay applied the finishing touch to seal a fourth straight win for Napoli, who moved three points clear on top of the table with 44 points from 19 games at the halfway stage of the season. 

‘Individual brilliance’ – Neres scores sublime solo goal to give Napoli lead over Fiorentina

Video credit: TNT Sports

Atalanta and Internazionale are three and four points behind respectively. Both are out of action this weekend in Serie A as they faced off in Saudi Arabia in the Supercoppa Italiana semi-finals on Thursday, which Inter won 2-0.

Atalanta have one game in hand over Napoli and Inter, who face AC Milan in the Supercoppa final on Monday, have two, meaning Napoli's mid-season lead is not guaranteed to stick.

But assistant coach Cristian Stellini put his side’s strong start in perspective, coming off the back of a disastrous title defence in 2023/24 when Napoli went through three coaches and finished 10th.

"We’re proud of what we are doing," Stellini told DAZN. "We have 44 points and that was unimaginable at the start of the season. We are hoping that we can continue to work this way."

Former Man Utd team-mates turned foes! Lukaku beats De Gea from spot to put Napoli 2-0 up

Video credit: TNT Sports

Palladino: Errors can help youngsters improve

The result continued a worrying slump in form for Fiorentina, who were among the title contenders a month ago but have since slipped down the standings after picking up just one point in their last four league games.

La Viola, who face bottom side Monza next on Monday, January 13, are now sixth in the standings with Bologna and AC Milan breathing down their necks.

The club have been through a difficult period after midfielder Edoardo Bove collapsed on the pitch during a game with Inter on December 2, requiring treatment in intensive care before undergoing surgery to have a removable heart starter device implanted.

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Head coach Raffaele Palladino remained optimistic about his side after the defeat, where individual errors cost Fiorentina dearly.

"Errors can help you improve, only by making a mistake can you analyse it and work on it," said Palladino.

"It’s my job to analyse every little detail that we aren’t doing…we are a very young team, with a lot of guys who need experience to develop."

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