Scott McTominay was the hero once again as Napoli edged closer to a historic fourth Scudetto, defeating Torino 2-0 at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium to extend their lead over Inter Milan to three points with just four matches left to play.
Signed for £25 million from Manchester United last August, McTominay has rapidly become a fan favourite among Napoli’s passionate supporters thanks to his commanding displays and tactical intelligence in midfield over the past eight months.
But the Scottish international’s standing in Naples has soared even higher in recent weeks. His timely goals have propelled Napoli past a faltering Inter side, putting Antonio Conte’s team within touching distance of glory.
The 28-year-old, who has been capped 60 times for Scotland, found the net twice in a 3-0 win over Empoli two weeks ago and scored the decisive goal in a narrow 1-0 victory at Monza last weekend.
He added to his season tally this evening, reaching 11 goals in all competitions, and in doing so surpassed the mark set by fellow Scot Denis Law during his time with Torino in the 1961/62 campaign.
McTominay opened the scoring in the seventh minute, pouncing on a pass from Frank Zambo Anguissa inside the six-yard box to leave Torino goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic helpless.
The 51,144-strong crowd, already jubilant after Inter’s shock 1-0 home defeat earlier in the day, exploded with joy. McTominay celebrated by leaping over the advertising boards into the arms of the delirious Napoli faithful and his teammates.
Che Adams, McTominay’s Scotland teammate who had matched Law’s historic Torino tally earlier in the week, threatened to pull one back for Torino with a few close chances, but Napoli held firm.
At one point, McTominay even had to retreat into his own box to head away a dangerous Cristiano Biraghi corner meant for Adams – a teammate he has shared many battles with in the dark blue of Scotland.
Just before halftime, McTominay struck again, finishing off a move almost identical to his first goal, this time after a precise cutback from Matteo Politano.
That second goal marked his 11th in Serie A this season, setting a new record for the most goals scored by a Scottish player in a single Serie A campaign and his 12th overall for Napoli.
The home supporters responded by hugging one another and singing McTominay’s name in unison, celebrating as their side took a decisive step toward the league title.
Billy Gilmour, who started on the bench with Anguissa back to full fitness, entered the fray late in the match, replacing Stanislav Lobotka and providing solid support alongside McTominay as Napoli closed out the victory.
There is still work to be done, with matches against Lecce, Genoa, Parma, and Cagliari remaining. Gilmour will hope to feature more prominently, but if McTominay continues his scoring spree and drives Napoli to the Serie A title, he will surely cement legendary status in Naples, something he seems well on course to achieve based on tonight’s evidence.
