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Despite going down to nine men, Genoa still maintained their 100 per cent home record to sink Napoli in an exhilarating encounter.
The Azzurri were eager to get back on track after their midweek UEFA Cup exit to Benfica, but missed Mariano Bogliacino and Gennaro Iezzo. That defeat in Lisbon was their first of the campaign and it was a tough ask to defend their unbeaten Serie A run against a Genoa side that had a 100 per cent record at Marassi. Ruben Olivera sat out a ban, joining the injured Matteo Ferrari, Matteo Paro, Omar Milanetto and Andrea Gasbarroni.
There was an incredible start to the match, as straight from kick-off Napoli scored! Ezequiel Lavezzi burst between two Genoa defenders and smashed a fierce left-foot strike into the near top corner just 26 seconds in. Mimmo Criscito and Giuseppe Biava were caught napping, as they didn't expect such a quick attack.
It was a particularly important goal, as with a victory here Napoli would be top of the table following the results at Lazio and Inter.
Giuseppe Sculli's cross-shot skimmed the woodwork and Papasthatopoulos had a solid penalty shout for a shirt-tug. Napoli also felt they deserved a spot-kick for Criscito's handling offence, as the referee awarded a free kick on the edge of the box and it might have been inside.
It was a very open and exciting game with Rubinho's spectacular save to deny a German Denis header from Walter Gargano's cross to the back post. Denis also went close with a half-volley over the bar from Lavezzi's assist.
Diego Milito thought he had equalised, but it was ruled offside. The goal arrived soon after, as Greek defender Papasthatopoulos turned Fabiano Santacroce on Rossi's assist to place a precise left-foot angled drive into the far bottom corner.
Straight after the restart Sculli just failed to get on the end of Milito's cross. Genoa were threatening and turned the game around completely. Milito had his back to goal and held off two defenders to roll across for the unmarked Raffaele Palladino's comfortably finish from eight yards.
However, soon after Genoa were reduced to 10 men. Marco Rossi saw red for bringing down Lavezzi as the Argentine was running the entire length of the pitch. There could be no arguments, as it was a rugby tackle clutching to the Napoli man's shorts.
Despite that situation, the Grifone extended their advantage to 3-1 with Il Principe Milito. He got his head to a Juric cross to beat Gianello at the near post.
However, Napoli got back into it with another Argentine, as Denis gathered with his back to goal and spun round his marker to place a powerful right-foot strike past Rubinho.
Criscito's goalline clearance denied Montervino's potential equaliser with Rubinho already beaten.
Sokratis Papasthatopoulos got the second red card of the afternoon for Genoa, his very high tackle on Lavezzi's thigh. Still Napoli couldn't equalise, as Marek Hamsik blasted over with both Denis and Inacio Pia' in the middle.
Deep into stoppages, Rubinho flew to fingertip a Denis header out of the very top corner of the net.
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