ROME, Sept 30, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Napoli saw off lowly Monza 2-0 at home on

Sunday to leapfrog to the top of the table with goals from Matteo Politano
and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

After starting last season as champions and finishing a disappointing 10th
place, Napoli have rediscovered their form this campaign, racking up four
wins in six outings under coach Antonio Conte.

Politano sent the home side ahead in the 22nd minute when he drove in from
the right before slotting coolly past the goalkeeper from a tight angle.

Georgian star Kvaratskhelia then settled the match just 11 minutes later when
the ball bobbled kindly to him in the box and he emphatically slammed home
from a central position.

Conte's arrival to the club in the close season is already bearing fruit as
Napoli sit top of the table for the first time since June 2023 -- when they
won the Scudetto.

But the former Italy boss dismissed talk of title pretensions, telling DAZN:
"I have to look at the reality and that says we are very far from flying
high.

"We've got to sweat it out game after game, like we did today where we had to
sweat hard to earn those points.

"We can let the fans dream, but I have to keep my feet on the ground and
realise there are teams ahead of us for many reasons. We are chasing them
down and will try to do our best," he added.

Napoli have 13 points after six matches, one point more than Juventus in
second spot and two ahead of AC Milan, Inter Milan and surprise-packages
Torino.

Earlier, Torino failed to regain top spot in Serie A, slipping to their first
league defeat of the season 3-2 at home to Lazio.

Torino were always off the pace as Lazio took the lead in the eighth minute,
former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi striking from just inside the
penalty box.

Guendouzi's goal was well set up by in-form on-loan Arsenal defender Nuno
Tavares, who has turned into a provider for his teammates. It was his fourth
assist of the campaign.

The visitors doubled their lead on the hour, Boulaye Dia sweeping the ball
home.

Torino coach Paolo Vanoli's decision to bring on Che Adams to add some zest
to the attack paid off as the Scottish international reduced the deficit
seven minutes later for his third goal in three matches.

- 'Really angry' -

Vanoli's frustration got the better of him and he was dismissed from the
touchline for dissent in the 74th minute.

His mood darkened as Lazio substitute Tijjani Noslin knocked in their third,
just half a minute after coming on, in the 89th minute.

Saul Coco scored a consolation goal in time added on with a fine volley.
"I was really angry at our first half performance," said Vanoli.

"We played better after the break.

"It is a shame as when we play like we did in the second half we can cause
trouble for anyone."

Torino and Lazio's five-goal bonanza was followed by two entertaining and
action packed encounters.

Roma's directors and new coach Ivan Juric will hope the come-from-behind 2-1
home win over lowly Venezia will diminish the fans fury at the firing of icon
Daniele De Rossi.

There was clearly still some anger as the fans at one end of the ground
remained silent for the opening 15 minutes. They found their voices to boo
the team off at half-time trailing 1-0.

Goals by Bryan Cristante -- which took a mighty deflection -- and a late
effort from Niccolo Pisilli calmed the febrile atmosphere somewhat.

A brace from Patrick Cutrone inspired Como -- managed by former Arsenal and
Spain star Cesc Fabregas -- to a second successive victory, beating 10-man
Verona 3-2.

Elsewhere, Empoli played out a goalless stalemate at home to Fiorentina.