FC Utrecht 3-3 Napoli: Report

02 December 2010 20:26
Fight on to secure progression FC Utrecht and Napoli left themselves with difficult tasks to progress from Europa League Group K after restricting each other to a point apiece in a 3-3 draw. Both sides headed into the encounter winless and two points behind second-placed Steaua Bucharest with two games remaining while Liverpool topped the standings. However, Edinson Cavani's hat-trick rescued a draw for Napoli and meant the sides shared the points, while Steaua and Liverpool drew to leave three teams fighting for second place. The final round of matches sees Napoli scrap it out with Steaua - the winner there would almost certainly progress - while Utrecht face a daunting trip to Anfield needing victory and hoping for a draw between their rivals. A lively start saw both sides score within the first six minutes. First up were the visitors, in the fifth minute, when Uruguay international Cavani found himself in the right place at the right time to open the scoring coolly, curling one home from the edge of the box. Seconds after the restart, however, Utrecht were level through their outstanding performer of the campaign so far. As Utrecht rushed forward seeking to capitalise on the Italian side's jubilation, Ricky Van Wolfswinkel made it 1-1 in the sixth minute, firing in from close range after good work by Dries Mertens. Napoli had various chances to score again but Michael Vorm prevented further goals for the visitors. And it was the Dutch side who went in front shortly before the half-hour mark, Van Wolfswinkel keeping his composure from the spot after Luigi Vitale appeared to impede Tim Cornelisse. Before the half was out, it was 3-1. Mertens floated in a free-kick from the right and in a crowded penalty area, Frank Demouge was on hand to head home through a crowd of players. Seven minutes later they were pegged back by Cavani's second as the Uruguayan collected a pass from compatriot Walter Gargano to fire into the bottom left corner and make it 3-2. A slow start to the second half saw Napoli fail to regain that cutting edge. However, they were gifted an opportunity in the 69th minute when Alje Schut needlessly brought down Lavezzi in the box. Cavani kept his cool, hammering the spot-kick beyond Vorm to secure his side a share of the spoils.

FC Utrecht 3-3 Napoli: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game as it happened.

Source: DSG