Inter 3-2 Napoli: Player ratings as Nerazzurri edge Serie A thriller

Inter ended Napoli's unbeaten record in Serie A this season, edging a five-goal thriller 3-2 at San Siro on Sunday night.

The visitors went into the game top of the table and they took the lead before Inter rallied to make it 2-1 going into half time. Lautaro Martinez would score a third early in the second half before Dries Mertens' beautiful effort set up a dramatic finale, with Inter surviving an onslaught to triumph.

Napoli started in the ascendency and took the lead when Piotr Zielinski finished off a free-flowing counter attack, placing the ball into the top corner from just outside the box.

Inter responded well and drew level from the penalty spot before the half-hour mark. Following a VAR check, Kalidou Koulibaly was penalised for a handball in the box and Hakan Calhanoglu just sneaked his effort home from 12 yards.

Before the break the hosts completed a first-half turnaround, with Ivan Perisic flicking Calhanoglu's corner in at the front post. However, goal-line technology was needed to verify that it went in.

15 minutes after the restart Inter had a third goal. Joaquin Correa was allowed to waltz through the entire Napoli midfield in transition and he slipped through Lautaro Martinez who - after missing a few good chances previously - made no mistake, producing a precise finish past David Ospina.

After this the game simmered down but Mertens set up a grandstand finish when he unleashed a sumptuous, dipping effort past Samir Handanovic.

Shortly after eight minutes of stoppage time were indicated, Napoli went agonisingly close to an equaliser with Handanovic doing superbly to deny Mario Rui a rare goal. There was time for more drama before the end too; Mertens blazing an effort over at the back post in the final minute.

Here are your Inter player ratings...

Inter player ratings

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Samir Handanovic (GK) - 6/10 - Given little chance for either of Napoli's fierce strikes. Made a big save in second-half stoppage time.

Milan Skriniar (CB) - 6/10 - Surprisingly effective in the final third at times. Kept Insigne fairly quiet.

Andrea Ranocchia (CB) - 6/10 - The Inter defender least involved in possession. It was an error-free display, though.

Alessandro Bastoni (CB) - 7/10 - Superb. Relished the physical contest with Osimhen before he was taken off. Composure personified in possession.

2. Wing-back & midfielders

Matteo Darmian (RWB) - 6/10 - Solid and ventured forward effectively once or twice.

Nicolo Barella (CM) - 4/10 - Dispossessed cheaply in the build-up to Napoli's opener. Generally off the boil all night.

Marcelo Brozovic (CM) - 7/10 - Excellent passing. He sprayed long balls for fun and kept it simple when required.

Hakan Calhanoglu (CM) - 8/10 - Turned up for the big occasion, as he did in the Derby della Madonnina, scoring and creating a goal in the first half.

Ivan Perisic (LWB) - 8/10 - Excellent. Constantly creating things and beating players with his precise dribbling.

3. Forwards

Lautaro Martinez (ST) - 7/10 - Finishing was a bit rubbish, until he produced a wonderful effort in the second half.

Joaquin Correa (ST) - 7/10 - Did well for Inter's third, although Napoli allowed him far too much time and space.

4. Substitutes

Edin Dzeko (ST) - 4/10 - Dispossessed in the build-up to Mertens' strike. Suffered a head injury late on.

Arturo Vidal (CM) - 4/10 - A little bit wild. Picked up a booking just 10 minutes after coming on.

Federico Dimarco (CM) - 6/10

Roberto Gagliardini (CM) - 6/10

Martin Satriano (ST) - N/A

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