Lukaku lifts Napoli six points clear with Atalanta triumph

Romelu Lukaku's decisive header secured Napoli a thrilling 3-2 victory over title rivals Atalanta on 18 January, extending their Serie A lead to six points.

Juventus also climbed into the Champions League spots with a 2-0 win against AC Milan.

Belgian striker Lukaku netted his eighth goal for Napoli, connecting with Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa's pinpoint cross in the 78th minute. The result solidified Antonio Conte's team as title favourites, bringing their tally to 50 points from 21 matches.

"I can't say if it's my most important goal, but the win is crucial. Tonight, we proved we're a top team," Lukaku told Sky.

Napoli, aiming for their second Scudetto in three seasons, await a response from second-placed Inter Milan, who face Empoli on 19 January with a game in hand. Napoli's sixth consecutive win comes as a timely boost ahead of their showdown with Juventus next week.

"We need to stay focused after a victory like this," Lukaku added. "It's easy to slack off, but we must keep playing at this level."

Atalanta, who had been unbeaten in the league since late September, saw their title hopes dented. Gian Piero Gasperini's side, now seven points off the pace in third, have struggled recently, failing to win their last four matches.

Atalanta initially led through Serie A's top scorer Mateo Retegui in the 16th minute. Although Ademola Lookman equalised early in the second half, Napoli's clinical finishing proved decisive.

"It's hard to digest this loss, considering how we played," Gasperini said. "We got nothing from this match but showed great quality against a strong team. This experience will make us stronger."

Juventus overpower Milan to claim vital win

Juventus climbed to fourth place with a commanding 2-0 victory over AC Milan in Turin. Goals from Samuel Mbangula and Timothy Weah within five second-half minutes ended a streak of three consecutive draws for Thiago Motta's side.

Weah, brought on as a substitute, emulated his father George Weah by scoring in a Juventus-Milan fixture 25 years after the Ballon d'Or winner achieved the feat for Milan.

"The boys are growing and improving with each match. Tonight's performance is a reward for their hard work," Motta said.

The win moves Juventus a point ahead of Lazio, who play Verona on 19 January. Meanwhile, Milan remain eighth, six points adrift of the top four, though they still have a game in hand against Bologna, postponed due to October flooding.

Milan created promising opportunities in the first half, with Tijjani Reijnders and Rafael Leao coming close. However, they faltered in the second half.

Sergio Conceicao criticised his team's lacklustre performance after the break, labelling the collapse "unjustifiable."

"When there's no desire, it's very difficult for me. I need to turn this situation around," the Milan coach admitted.

Bologna continue resurgence

Bologna maintained their strong form with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Monza. Goals from Santiago Castro, Jens Odgaard, and Riccardo Orsolini lifted Vincenzo Italiano's team to sixth place on 33 points, just four behind Juventus.

Monza remain rooted to the bottom of the table after suffering their sixth defeat in seven matches, leaving them in a perilous position as the season progresses.