NAPOLI 2-2 INTER

The hosts made a strong start with Mertens heading wide after just five minutes. Three minutes later, Higuain got past Guarin and tried a curling effort which Handanovic beat to safety. Their tussle would resume midway through the first period as the Argentine raced clear onto a Mertens through ball. The striker tried to lift the ball over the advancing Handanovic but the Nerazzurri keeper stood tall to claw the ball away.

Inter responded quickly as Guarin drove through the heart of the Partenopei defence. His movement gave Brozovic the chance to try his luck from the edge of the area. His effort finished off-target however.

Napoli launched another quick break just past the half-hour mark as Mertens' delicious centre was somehow skied by Higuain from point-blank range. The final act of the first half saw Shaqiri work space for a left-footed shot: Andujar got everything behind his low strike.

The match came to life after the break. There were four goals all told as Inter showed heart and belief to turn things around after falling two behind. Napoli broke the deadlock just five minutes into the second half as Hamsik nodded home from Henrique's pinpoint cross. 

Inter responded as Icardi rose majestically to help Shaqiri's cross on its way: the ball whistled past the upright with Andujar rooted to the spot. The Nerazzurri went close again a few minutes later, D'Ambrosio with the headed effort on this occasion albeit with the same result - off-target.

Then the Partenopei struck again. Higuain dropped his shoulder to create space and bent a beautiful right-footed shot in off the far post. There was nothing Handanovic could do. That made it 2-0 and it was a goal that would knock the stuffing out of any side…

But not Inter. The Nerazzurri came roaring back, inspired by Santon down the left. First he nearly caused Koulibaly to put through his own net, then fed Icardi on 69 minutes: the Argentine's shot went wide of the post. Finally, he began the move which saw Inter pull a goal back.

The full-back found Shaqiri whose shot was too hot to handle. Palacio was first on the scene to calmly rifle home through a crowded penalty area. That changed the game. Hernanes went in search of an equaliser a minute later but Andujar kept out his shot from distance. 

Five minutes from time Guarin released Palacio who was cynically tugged down by Henrique from behind. The Brazilian was shown a second yellow card and the hosts were reduced to 10 men. It was a stonewall penalty. Up stepped Icardi to make it 2-2 with an exquisite finish from 12 yards. That's the way it would remain.