Napoli drop costly points in Serie A title race after draw at lowly Parma

Following their victory over AC Milan on Monday, Napoli headed to Parma aiming to increase the pressure on the top placed Inter.

That said, the home team had no intention of easing things for the current Serie A title holders, bursting into action to grab an unexpected lead right from the opening minute.

Nesta Elphege rose high over a pair of Napoli defenders to connect with his keeper's lengthy clearance, heading it ahead for Gabriel Strefezza to dash into the penalty area and bend a low effort against the inside of the post for an early roar from the local fans.

Strefezza's debut Serie A strike turned out to be the standout moment of an opening period where the away side controlled the ball yet struggled to create genuine threats.

As Napoli hunted for a spark, Scott McTominay rose to the occasion once more, equalising for his team after a smooth sequence around the 60th minute.

Stanislav Lobotka whipped the pass to Rasmus Hojlund, who teed it up for McTominay to fire it into the bottom far corner, helped by a minor touch off a defender.

The Scottish player's subdued response showed he knew the task remained unfinished, aware that just a victory would truly aid their defence of the Scudetto.

McTominay nearly added another with a bold bicycle kick that failed to carry enough force past Zion Suzuki, while energetic replacement Alisson Santos blasted a right foot drive wide of the post as Antonio Conte's squad pushed hard for the decisive goal.

Suzuki's firm stop from Alisson deep into added time confirmed a third straight stalemate between these sides, pushing Carlos Cuesta's group nine points from the drop zone and forcing Napoli to hope for help against Como.