Napoli earned a valuable 3-1 away win at Udinese thanks to Romelu Lukaku’s own goal, sparked by goals from David Neres and Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa.

The Partenopei were tense after suffering two consecutive defeats in a matter of days against Lazio, exiting the Coppa Italia and losing the Serie A lead to Atalanta. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia sat on the treatment table next to Michael Folorunsho and Pasquale Mazzocchi, so David Neres only started in the second division. The Friulani were missing Maduka Okoye, Martin Payero, Keinan Davis, Oier Zarraga and Gerard Deulofeu, but Isaak Touré returned from suspension.

David Neres shot Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s cross past the back post with the inside of his left boot while Jürgen Ekkelenkamp failed to capitalize on an assist from Florian Thauvin, then Thauvin shot over after Alessandro Buongiorno missed the ball in midfield.

David Neres fired an angled shot across goal, but Udinese were awarded a penalty when Stanislav Lobotka raised an arm to protect his face and canceled out Jordan Zemura’s shot. Thauvin saw Alex Meret’s penalty parried, but only went back into the veteran’s path to parry the rebound.

UDINE, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Florian Thauvin of Udinese Calcio scores the opening goal during the Serie A match between Udinese and Napoli at Stadio Friuli on December 14, 2024 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

David Neres tested Razvan Sava at the near post after riding Kristensen’s tackle, but Sandi Lovric limped off with a suspected hamstring strain.

Sava got to the ground very quickly to block a low shot from Andrea Frank Zambo Anguissa from 14 meters from a corner.

Napoli equalized after the restart when Lukaku ran at Scott McTominay with the ball, created a gap between the centre-backs and parried Lautaro Giannetti’s attempted tackle.

Matteo Politano missed, but Napoli turned the game around with a stroke of luck. David Neres’ slalom through the penalty area wreaked havoc on the Udinese defense, so much so that when Giannetti attempted to clear the angled shot, he instead fired it into his own net from six yards.

The Partenopei took control, a through ball from Giovanni Simeone allowing Anguissa to run through the centre-backs into another gap, repelling Jaka Bijol’s attempted tackle to make it 3-1.

Thauvin 22 (U), Lukaku 50 (N), Giannetti and 76 (N), Anguissa 81 (N)

Penalty saved: Thauvin 22 (U)