(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Duvan Zapata and Ricky Alvarez scored as Sampdoria condemned big-spending AC Milan to their second defeat of the Serie A campaign 2-0 in Genoa on Sunday.
Zapata broke through after a terrible clearance by his cousin and fellow Colombia international Cristian Zapata after 72 minutes with substitute Alvarez getting the second just before the whistle.
Chinese-owned Milan again showed their difficulty against teams in the top half of the table as they stay fifth after six games with Sampdoria, who have a game in hand, moving sixth just a point behind.
"We deserved this victory, we fought to the end and must build on this performance," said Zapata.
"It's important for us to keep a clean sheet too, now we need to rest and prepare for another important match."
Milan had problems defensively with Cristian Zapata having a forgettable afternoon and Leonardo Bonucci and Alessio Romagnoli performing little better.
Sampdoria dominated from the outset with the visitors having a scare after two minutes when Ivan Strinic's cross hit Franck Kessie on the arm and the referee awarded a penalty. However, the decision was overturned by the video assistant referee.
Meanwhile, Paulo Dybala continued his astonishing start to the season as he netted twice to help Juventus beat 10-man Torino 4-0 in a Serie A derby on Saturday.
Miralem Pjanic and Alex Sandro scored the others after Torino midfielder Daniele Baselli was sent off after 24 minutes of the Derby della Mole.
Dybala took his tally to 10 goals in the opening six league matches, just one less than he scored in the whole of the last campaign.
Juventus stayed perfect in Serie A, as did Napoli which won at Spal 3-2 earlier.
Roma, which has played a match less, remained six points behind after beating Udinese 3-1.
Torino shot itself in the foot early on, first by gifting Juventus the lead as Baselli and Tomas Rincon gave away possession and Dybala drilled into the bottom right corner from the edge of the area.
Matters grew worse for Torino eight minutes later when Baselli, who had already been booked, clumsily clattered into Pjanic and he was shown a second yellow card and dismissed. "I was too eager for the derby, I cared too much about this game. I made a mistake. I apologise to my teammates, our fans, the club," Baselli wrote on Twitter.
Pjanic doubled Juve's lead shortly before halftime, curling into the left side of the net after Juan Cuadrado cut back a cross.
Sandro headed in a corner in the 57th and it could have been more for Juventus but Torino goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu pulled off some fine saves, and Mario Mandzukic hit the post.
In stoppage time, Dybala dinked the ball over Sirigu after good linkup play between Pjanic and substitute Gonzalo Higuain.
Algeria left back Faouzi Ghoulam was the unlikely match-winner for Napoli seven minutes from time, with a run from the halfway line.
"If Spal plays like this all year, this will be a difficult place," Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri said.
"We don't feel we're the 'anti Juve,' we're a team which is getting a lot of points and we have improved in comparison to the past years: We are more able to withstand negative moments of matches.
"We have had a good start, that gives us confidence and enthusiasm to continue working."
Spal lost its previous three matches but took a surprise lead early when Mirco Antenucci rolled the ball across for Pasquale Schiattarella, who is from Naples, to smash it into the bottom left corner.
The home side's lead lasted only 77 seconds. Lorenzo Insigne curled an effort inside the near post.
Spal was causing Napoli problems but it was the visitors who led in the 71st when Jose Callejon headed in Ghoulam's cross.
Federico Viviani put Spal back on level terms seven minutes later with a free kick but Ghoulam scored what was to be the winner shortly after.
MENAFN2509201700490000ID1095897193
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.