Last-gasp Anguissa fires Napoli past Cagliari as Roma keep pace

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa struck deep into stoppage time to hand Napoli a dramatic 1-0 win over Cagliari on Saturday, keeping the reigning champions level on points with Roma at the top of Serie A.

The Cameroon midfielder bundled home in the fifth minute of added time at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, just as Antonio Conte’s side looked set to be frustrated by a stubborn Cagliari rearguard.

Only moments earlier, Scott McTominay squandered a golden chance to steal the points, before Anguissa ensured Napoli maintained their perfect start.

“It was a hard match because they defended really well but we didn’t leave anything out there, we pushed and in the end we won,” Anguissa told DAZN.

Almost exactly a year ago, Anguissa netted a stoppage-time winner against Parma, though the midfielder dismissed suggestions that Saturday’s strike could serve as a lucky omen in their bid to defend the Scudetto.

“The most important thing is winning. We played as a team and that’s how it should be,” he added.

Napoli’s best opening before the late breakthrough came on 57 minutes when Cagliari goalkeeper Elia Caprile produced a superb one-handed stop to deny Leonardo Spinazzola’s low drive.

Stars Kevin De Bruyne and McTominay struggled to influence proceedings, while Lorenzo Lucca again failed to impress in place of the injured Romelu Lukaku.

Meanwhile, Napoli are poised to strengthen their attack with Rasmus Højlund, who arrived in Italy on Saturday ahead of a loan move from Manchester United that includes an obligation to buy.

Soule strikes as Roma edge Pisa

Roma continued their encouraging start under Gian Piero Gasperini with a narrow 1-0 win away at newly promoted Pisa.

Matias Soule netted the decisive goal nine minutes after the interval, sweeping home Evan Ferguson’s lay-off to secure a second straight victory for the Giallorossi.

The 21-year-old Argentine thought he had doubled his tally soon after, but the strike was disallowed for handball.

“Every day that I’m here with the faith that is shown in me I feel better, but I can still give more,” Soule said afterwards.

“I’m always with [Paulo] Dybala, so we have a connection off the field as well. When he’s on the pitch he gives us something more.”

The win leaves Roma with six points from two matches, level with Napoli and Cremonese, who trail on goal difference.

Orsolini celebrates Italy recall

Elsewhere, Riccardo Orsolini marked his return to the Italy squad with the winner in Bologna’s 1-0 triumph over Como.

The winger, recalled by new Azzurri boss Gennaro Gattuso, struck just before the hour mark, sliding home Santiago Castro’s low cross to seal Bologna’s first victory of the campaign.

Orsolini, 28, was a key figure in Vincenzo Italiano’s Coppa Italia-winning side last season but struggled for international recognition under former coach Luciano Spalletti, who was dismissed in June after a poor start to World Cup qualifying.

“I need to get to know the coach (Gattuso) but I’m there for him and the rest of the lads. I’m always ready,” Orsolini said.

Cutrone denies Atalanta

Atalanta’s wait for a first win under Ivan Jurić goes on after Patrick Cutrone’s late equaliser rescued a 1-1 draw for Parma.

Mario Pašalić had marked his 300th Atalanta appearance with a fine 79th-minute finish, but Cutrone struck six minutes later to earn the visitors a point.

Pašalić, a key figure in Atalanta’s Europa League triumph under Gasperini last season, was one of few bright sparks for Jurić’s side as they remain winless.