Scott McTominay spared the blushes of Rasmus Højlund as Napoli celebrated victory on the fifth anniversary of Diego Maradona’s death by beating FK Qarabag 2-0 in the Champions League.
Scotland midfielder McTominay headed the Serie A champions into a 65th-minute lead before his acrobatic attempt was inadvertently diverted home by Qarabag midfielder Marko Jankovic seven minutes later.
Manchester United loanee Højlund had earlier seen a penalty saved by visiting goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski.
Tributes were paid to Argentina and Napoli great Maradona, who helped the Italian club twice win the Scudetto and lift the UEFA Cup, before and during the game.
Victory moved Antonio Conte’s side level on seven points with opponents Qarabag following five matches of the league stage.
The Azerbaijani champions, who held Chelsea to a 2-2 draw on matchday four after launching their campaign with back-to-back victories over Benfica and Copenhagen, began brightly on a soggy evening in southern Italy.
Forward Emmanuel Addai flashed wide for the visitors following a poor pass from McTominay before the hosts gradually started to threaten.
David Neres’ acrobatic effort in the 35th minute was superbly clawed away by Polish keeper Kochalski, while Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo slipped at the crucial moment after racing through on goal.
Denmark striker Højlund wasted a golden chance 11 minutes into the second period when his spot-kick was repelled by Kochalski following Jankovic’s foul on Di Lorenzo.
McTominay then claimed the opener, nodding in from close range on the rebound after Kochalski prevented Bahlul Mustafazade scoring an own goal following a corner from the left.
Kochalski denied Noa Lang and then McTominay with a fine double save, while Neres struck the crossbar with an attempted cross before Napoli capitalised on their growing dominance with a second goal.
McTominay attempted to hook home on the turn in the 72nd minute, with the ball going in off the unfortunate Jankovic.
