Defrel stunner dents Napoli title hopes
Gregoire Defrel came off the bench to hit a sensational late leveller as Sassuolo dented Napoli's Serie A title hopes in a 1-1 draw at the San Paolo on Monday.
Napoli dominated throughout and looked to be on their way to a 1-0 win that would have moved them to within six points of leaders Juventus after Lorenzo Insigne put the hosts ahead in the 42nd minute.
But Sassuolo, who became the first Serie A side this season to field an all-Italian starting XI, had Frenchman Defrel to thank for a share of the spoils when he came off the bench to beat Pepe Reina with a stunning 82nd-minute volley.
It left Napoli seventh, eight points adrift of the leaders, and regretting the many chances they missed either side of Insigne's opener.
Sassuolo, breaking a four-game losing streak, threatened early when Antonino Ragusa's volley was charged down in the area from Marcello Gazzola's cross.
But Napoli were soon in command, and Andrea Consigli was forced down low to smother Jose Callejon's fierce strike before seeing Insigne's right-foot curler inch past the far top corner.
Insigne made amends shortly before the interval when he controlled Marek Hamsik's long ball with a great first touch and cut inside to hit a stunner that looped over Consigli and in off the underside of the crossbar.
Sassuolo almost levelled moments after the restart when Ragusa's header battered off the crossbar with Reina rooted to the spot.
Insigne fired just wide from Callejon's cross and Consigli had to get down low to parry a dipping Dries Mertens drive before blocking Hamsik's angled shot following Insigne's smart through ball on the left.
Sassuolo coach Eusebio Di Francesco's decision to introduce Defrel on 71 minutes soon paid dividends, the Frenchman meeting Gazzola's long cross from the right with a sensational volley that gave Reina no chance.
Napoli battled for a late winner but in the final frantic seconds Callejon hit the base of the far upright with a first-time daisycutter.
Inter Milan entertain Fiorentina later on Monday.