Milan (AFP) – Marcus Thuram earned revenge on Romelu Lukaku for Serie A's top dogs Inter Milan with the decisive goal in Sunday's 1-0 win over Roma, as Napoli came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with AC Milan.
Inter lead Juventus by two points after Thuram guided home Federico Dimarco's low cross with nine minutes remaining at a pulsating, shrieking San Siro where his World Cup-winning father Lilian was watching on.
France forward Thuram was charged with filling the shoes of Lukaku who enraged fans, his old teammates and the club hierarchy by the way he eyed moves away to Milan and third-placed Juve, whilst Inter tried to secure a permanent deal from Chelsea in the summer.
The 26-year-old is repaying the faith Simone Inzaghi has shown in him with five goals and as many assists in all competitions alongside Lukaku's former strike partner Lautaro Martinez.
"We wanted to take three points and we did. I scored and I helped the team win," said Thuram. "I'm happy about that and I'm not interested in anything else."
Lukaku was given the promised hostile welcome from over 70,000 fans who consider him a traitor, with thousands of whistles making their way into the stadium despite police banning their distribution by Inter's hardcore supporters.
Even one-time friend Martinez barely looked at him as the two teams shook hands pre-match and ferocious chants calling Lukaku a "shit of a man" and a "son of a bitch" were frequently belted out.
Missing a host of starters and suspended coach Jose Mourinho, Roma tried but failed to hold off Inter and sit eighth on 14 points after creating just one chance all evening, Bryan Cristante forcing a fine save from Yann Sommer in the 64th minute.
Inter meanwhile hit the woodwork at either end of the match through Hakan Calhanoglu and Carlos Augusto and should have been ahead by the time Dimarco finally found Thuram, who made no mistake and set off a wave of noise which reverberated around the San Siro.
And soon afterwards the whistles aimed at Lukaku gave way to the celebrations between players and joyous fans who hailed a team that look clear favourites to beat Milan to a 20th league title.
Napoli fight back
Inter's lead at the summit was extended to two points thanks to champions Napoli's comeback in Naples, Matteo Politano and Giacomo Raspadori earning the hosts a point after they trailed Milan by two at half-time.
Napoli are seven points behind Inter in fourth while third-placed Milan were left three behind their local rivals and wondering what could have been after two classic Olivier Giroud headed goals had the away side deservedly in front at the break.
"We could have been, should have been further ahead at half-time... I'm really disappointed because we threw away two points today," said Giroud, who was outraged when he was substituted with 10 minutes remaining.
"I'm a man, not a robot. I thought I could still help the team. That was his choice and I respect the coach... But I didn't want to leave the field."
Napoli's title defence has been unconvincing and Rudi Garcia's team were loudly booed off the field at the interval, with Politano calling their first-half display "embarrassing".
But they came flying out of the traps at the start of the second half and Politano made up for a horrendous miss in the opening period when in the 50th minute he skipped around debutant Marco Pellegrino and Theo Hernandez before smashing past Mike Maignan.
And after piling pressure on the Milan goal Raspadori brought the hosts level just after the hour mark with a superb free-kick which took full advantage of a poorly placed Milan wall.
The two teams both went for the win and after Napoli defender Natan was sent off late on Davide Calabria headed wide a great chance to snatch the win before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia forced a fine save from Maignan moments before the warm applause which greeted the final whistle.