Napoli squander chance to close gap

The Naples club, who won their only two Italian titles in 1987 and 1990 thanks to the magic of Diego Maradona, could have profited fromMilan’s 0-0 draw withLazioon Tuesday but were instead deservedly beaten in Verona.

Davide Moscardelli opened the scoring with a superb turn and shot in the first half and Gennaro Sardo broke into the box to make it 2-0 early in the second period.

Serie A’s leading scorer Edinson Cavani, who bagged another hat-trick in Sunday’s 4-0 win over Sampdoria, was kept quiet by Chievo’s defence as Napoli showed stage fright yet again when it mattered to dampen fans’ hopes of a shock scudetto.

“There were fouls not given and the penalty not awarded was shocking. They are taking us for a ride,” he told Sky television.

Fourth-placedAS Romasuffered a disappointing 1-1 home draw with second-bottomBresciaandUdinese’s storming run came to an end with the same scoreline against pluckyBologna.

At the bottom, Ernesto Chevanton’s stoppage-time goal gaveLeccea 1-0 win atParmawhileCesenaandCataniadrew 1-1.