Napoli lost out to Roma at the Stadio Olimpico after having to play the last 30 minutes with ten and then nine men.
An evenly contested encounter took a decisive turn midway through the second half when Matteo Politano was given his marching orders for clipping Nicola Zalewski. Lorenzo Pellegrini broke the deadlock for the hosts soon after.
Victor Osimhen saw red a few minutes from time for a second bookable offence before Romelu Lukaku made it 2-0 right at the death.
It's a disappointing result going into Christmas but the Azzurri will have the chance to finish what has been an incredible 2023 on a high when they host Monza on Saturday 30th.
ROMA: Rui Patricio; Mancini, LIorente, Ndicka, Kristensen (Celik 75), Cristante, Paredes (Pellegrini 71), Bove, Zalewski (El Shaarawy 71), Belotti (Azmoun 71), Lukaku.
Coach: Mourinho.
NAPOLI: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus (Natan 88), Mario Rui (Zerbin 81), Anguissa, Lobotka (Cajuste 56), Zielinski (Gaetano 87), Politano, Kvaratskhelia (Raspadori 87), Osimhen.
Coach: Mazzarri.
Referee: Colombo (Como).
Scorers: Pellegrini 76, Lukaku 90+6
Booked: Kristensen, Cristante, Paredes, Mario Rui, Belotti, Juan Jesus, Zalewski, Azmoun.
Sent off: Politano 65, Osimhen 86.
