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Udinese tops Napoli with Di Natale's late heroics

Sun 7th, February 2010

Udine, Italy (Sports Network) - Antonio di Natale scored two goals in stoppage time to complete a hat trick as Udinese beat Napoli, 3-1, on Sunday at the Stadio Friuli.

Di Natale put Udinese in front after seven minutes when he followed up his own penalty miss to fire past Napoli goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis, but Cristian Maggio equalized in the 21st minute for the visitors before he picked up a second yellow card for diving right before halftime.

However, Udinese was unable to take advantage of the sending off until stoppage time, when Di Natale scored twice in a two-minute span to help his side snap a seven-game winless skid.

The win moves Udinese two points clear of the bottom three, while Napoli suffered its first defeat in Serie A in 15 games.

Udinese started well and their pressure was rewarded after seven minutes when Kwadwo Asamoah drew a penalty kick after he was held inside the area by Maggio.

Di Natale had his spot kick saved by De Sanctis, but he pounced on the rebound and put his team in front.

Napoli was level in the 21st minute when Marek Hamsik's through-ball picked out German Denis, whose shot was saved by goalkeeper Samir Handanovic, but it followed up by Maggio to even the match at 1-1.

The visitors then came within inches of taking the lead in the 44th minute when Fabio Quagliarella headed a cross from Denis off the crossbar, but less than one minute later, Napoli was reduced to 10 men when Maggio received a second booking for diving.

Neither side really gained an advantage throughout the second half, but the game came to life again in the 89th minute when Napoli's Michele Pazienza had his shot hit the post.

However, Pazienza was responsible for giving away a goal in the first minute of stoppage time when his poor clearance allowed Di Natale to beat De Sanctis.

The Udinese striker then completed his hat trick minutes later when he found the net once again on the counter attack.

Leaders Inter Milan had no trouble beating Cagliari, 3-0, while Roma moved into second place as they downed Fiorentina, 1-0, with Mirko Vucinic scoring the lone goal in the 82nd minute.

AC Milan dropped to third after being held to a 0-0 draw by Bologna, Sampdoria knocked off Siena, 2-1, Catania got the better of Lazio, 1-0, Marco Rossi's second-half goal helped Genoa beat Chievo, 1-0 and Atalanta took care of Bari, 1-0, with Simone Tiribocchi scoring eight minutes from time.