Anna 
Napoli eased past Empoli with a 3-0 home victory on Monday, as Scott McTominay scored twice and Romelu Lukaku added another to keep the Serie A title race alive.
With Inter winning 3-1 against Cagliari on Saturday, Napoli needed a response — and delivered one. The win keeps them three points behind league leaders Inter, with six matches remaining. Napoli also remain comfortably ahead of third-placed Atalanta by seven points, reinforcing the two-horse race for the title.
The breakthrough came in the 18th minute. Lukaku muscled through midfield and played in McTominay, whose low shot from distance skipped past Empoli goalkeeper Devis Vásquez and found the corner of the net.
Lukaku doubled the lead in the 56th minute after a clever run into the box, calmly finishing a pinpoint through ball. Just five minutes later, McTominay made it 3-0. Lukaku turned provider again, swinging in a perfect cross for McTominay to head in off the underside of the bar.
McTominay nearly had a hat-trick moments later, but his shot on the counter hit the inside of the post. Defender Juan Jesus was forced off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, while Lukaku missed a late chance from a David Neres cross.
Speaking after the match, McTominay praised his teammate. “Romelu is a great teammate,” he told Dazn. “He pushes everyone to create more chances, and he’s had a great career. We’re lucky to have him.”
“We’re a strong team,” he added. “We have to keep playing like this, focus on ourselves, and see what Inter do.”
Alvarez Leads Atlético Comeback Against Valladolid
In La Liga, Atlético Madrid staged a comeback to beat bottom-side Real Valladolid 4-2 on a rainy night at the Metropolitano Stadium, keeping their title hopes alive.
Valladolid opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a penalty from Mamadou Sylla after a handball by Clément Lenglet was confirmed by VAR. Atlético quickly responded. Julián Alvarez equalized from the spot in the 25th minute after Javi Sánchez fouled Giuliano Simeone.
Two minutes later, Simeone scored to put Atlético ahead. However, Valladolid leveled in the 56th minute when Sánchez’s free kick deflected off Conor Gallagher and wrong-footed goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Alvarez netted his second penalty in the 71st minute after Henrique fouled Marcos Llorente. Substitute Alexander Sørloth sealed the win with a rebound finish from close range.
“These are three important points,” Alvarez told Dazn. “It got complicated at times, but we pulled it off. Now it’s time to rest and focus on Las Palmas.”
Atlético remain third with 63 points — three behind Real Madrid and seven behind leaders Barcelona. Valladolid are rooted to the bottom with 16 points, 14 away from safety with just seven matches remaining.
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