Juventus draws Napoli to remain unbeaten

Napoli, Italy – Napoli had Juventus on the ropes at the 3 draw.

Marek Hamsik notched the opening goal of the match while Goran Pandev, on loan from Inter Milan, added two more for Napoli.

Juventus then exploded for three goals in the second half, as Alessandro Matri, Marcelo Estigarribia, and Simone Pepe each scored to see the visitors earn a share of the points.

Hamsik thought he had given Napoli the lead from the penalty spot in the 16th minute, but his goal was called back after several of his teammates had encroached into the box before the shot was taken.

The match remained scoreless with the Slovakian striker firing the retaken penalty kick over the crossbar.

But Hamsik made amends seven minutes later, nodding home from a set piece to record his third goal of the Serie A season.

Pandev added a second goal for Napoli just before the break. A failed clearance from Andrea Pirlo fell at to the feet of the Macedonia striker, and he took advantage with a low shot to the far post.

Matri cut the deficit in half for Juventus just three minutes into the second period, latching onto a through ball and slotting home a shot in cool fashion.

Pandev extended Napoli's lead in the 68th minute with a brilliant side-volley after receiving a cross with his back to goal, but Juventus quickly answered with Estigarribia slipping a shot underneath Napoli goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis.

Juventus found its well-deserved equalizer in the 79th minute, as Pepe dribbled through the Napoli defense and curled a shot just inside the post.

Despite snapping a four-game winning streak in Serie A play, the draw helps Juventus maintain its unbeaten start to the season. Through 12 league games, the Turin club has won seven and drawn five to lead the Italian top flight with 26 points.

Napoli has drawn three straight Serie A contests to move into a tie with Roma and Catania on 17 points apiece.