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Napoli needed two late goals to overcome Sampdoria in Serie A, as VAR took centre stage in the visitors’ 4-2 win at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Monday night.

The away side dominated the majority of the match, but were susceptible to the quality of Manolo Gabbiadini and Fabio Quagliarella in the Sampdoria strike force, resulting in a high-octane clash that will have left the neutrals very happy.

​​Napoli took the lead after just three minutes, as Arkadiusz Milik brilliantly headed beyond Emil Audero and into the bottom corner. The cross from Piotr Zielinski was something to behold too, as the Polish midfielder placed the ball perfectly onto his international compatriot’s head.

Elif Elmas then doubled the away side’s lead just 12 minutes later, despite a bit of pressure from Sampdoria. Giovanni Di Lorenzo flicked a Jose Callejon corner to the back post, and the midfielder tapped the ball into an empty net.

The home side then found a route back into the match midway through the first half. Veteran striker Quagliarella found space on the edge of the penalty area and fired a volley towards the bottom corner of the Napoli goal – a strike which Alex Meret could do nothing about.

Gabbiadini missed a golden opportunity to bring Sampdoria level, as the ball fell to the Italian just six yards out after a scramble inside the box, but he bizarrely hit the post and the danger was cleared.

Shortly after the restart, the home side thought that they had their equaliser. A towering header at the back post from Gabbiadini set up Gaston Ramirez for an overhead kick, which he executed to perfection, but a handball in the build-up was spotted by VAR and the goal was disallowed.

Sampdoria did get an equaliser, however. After consultation with VAR, referee Federico La Penna awarded a penalty to the home side, as Kostas Manolas brought down Quagliarella and Gabbiadini dispatched.

Not to be deterred by the officiating drama, the away side fought their way back into the lead in the final ten minutes. Diego Demme capitalised on Dries Mertens’ deflected shot, as he stroked the ball into an empty net.

Mertens then put the game beyond Sampdoria to make it 4-2, as Audero cleared the ball straight to his feet, and he swept the ball over the defence and beyond the helpless keeper to put the game beyond doubt.

The dramatic result moves Napoli into ninth, while Gennaro Gattuso’s side next face relegation battlers Lecce in Serie A on 9 February.

Barcelona’s teenage prodigy Ansu Fati lit up the Nou Camp with a quickfire double to help his side register a 2-1 home victory against Levante in La Liga on Sunday night.​

Lionel Messi once again delivered for La Blaugrana providing both assists for the 17-year-old – who became the youngest ever brace scorer in La Liga history – while the win moves Barça back to within three points of arch-rivals Real Madrid at the top of the table.

After a slow start, ​Barcelona hit the visitors with a two-minute blitz on the half-hour mark. Messi’s exquisite pass found Fati who showed composure beyond his years to slot the ball between the Levante keeper’s legs.

No sooner had Levante conceded than the same Messi-Fati combination resulted in the hosts’ second of the night, the teenager receiving a perfectly weighted pass before rifling home.

Semedo hit the bar from yet another Messi pass but 2-0 is how it stayed at the break and after the interval, Levante came out with renewed vigour.

On multiple occasions, Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was called into action and Ruben Rochina fired over when it looked easier to score.

At the other end, Messi and co couldn’t find the third goal to kill the game off and as the game entered into injury time Rochina’s deflected half-volley sealed scant consolation for the visitors.

Barcelona

Key Talking Point

A two-minute burst completely changed the complexion of this game, orchestrated by the master and his apprentice.

Then in the blink of an eye, an injection of pace and a sudden burst of penetration had Barça establish a two-goal lead in as many minutes.

Messi of course was the creator. His slide-rule pass set up Fati for the opener and then his delayed pass once again found the teenager who smashed in his second.

The 17-year-old became the youngest ever scorer of a double in ​La Liga, ably abetted by arguably the Spanish top-flight’s greatest ever player.

Not quite a changing of the guard, from this performance it appears that Leo still has much to offer but Fati’s emergence smacks of Messi’s emergence onto the Barça scene.

The Argentine was taken under Ronaldinho’s wing and now it appears Messi is repeating the trick with Fati.

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Ter Stegen (7); Semedo (7), Pique (8), Lenglet (6), Alba (7); Busquets (8), Rakitic (7), De Jong (6); Messi (8*), Griezmann (6), Fati (8).

Subs: Roberto (7), Arthur (6), Puig (N/A)

STAR MAN: Lionel Messi

Who else but Messi?

The skipper was the architect of his team’s first-half blitz. Having fired a few warning shots of his own, he dropped deeper and on Superbowl night, became Barça’s quarterback.

Messi’s first assist of the night was a thing of beauty, the vision to pick out the pass and then the perfect execution to put Fati clean through was nothing short of spectacular.

From near enough the centre-circle, he spotted Fati’s run and arrowed a laser-precision pass which carved Levante’s defence wide open.

With the visitors rocking, Messi took full advantage, delaying his pass until the opportune moment to again roll a perfectly weighted ball into Fati’s path for the quick-fire second.

The 32-year-old was at the heart of every attacking move but try as he might, he was unable to register on the scoresheet. However, his wand of a left foot did the damage in laying on both of Blaugrana’s goals as once again the number 10 was instrumental in securing victory for his side.

Levante

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Fernandez (7), Miramón (7), Vezo (6), Postigo (6), Toño (6); Rochina (7*), Vukčević (7), Melero (6), Campaña (7); Roger (6), Morales (5)

Subs: Borja (5), Hernani (7), Bardhi (6)

Looking Ahead 

Quique Setién’s men face a quarter-final Copa del Rey clash away to Athletic Club before travelling to Real Betis in La Liga on Sunday.

As for Levante, they host struggling side Leganes in the league on Saturday lunchtime.

​Romelu Lukaku bagged a second-half brace as Inter overcame Udinese 2-0 at the Stadio Friuli on Sunday night, moving back up to second in Serie A.

The visitors certainly started the game the brighter, with Christian Eriksen having his fierce left-footed drive saved by Juan Musso, but the hosts gradually grew into proceedings off the back of a stout defensive effort early on.

After Rodrigo De Paul forced Daniele Padelli into his first save of the game, Matias Vecino spurned the Nerazzurri’s best opportunity of the first half – the Uruguayan only being able to guide Victor Moses’ drilled cross hopelessly wide, however.

A frantic end to the opening period certainly carried over at the start of the second half as Sebastiano Esposito spurned a golden opportunity to give Inter the lead almost immediately after the restart.

With the game opening up right around the hour mark, Inter immediately benefitted, breaking the deadlock through Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian smartly using Bram Nuytinck as an obstruction to beat Musso from inside the area.

After Lukaku was denied brilliantly from close range by Musso for his second, substitute Alexis Sanchez ensured his former Man Utd teammate had another chance to bag his second of the game. The Chilean was brought down by the Udinese shot-stopper inside the box after breaking in behind the hosts’ backline in fortuitous fashion. Lukaku made no mistake from 12 yards to double the Nerazzurri lead.

Striker Kevin Lasagna saw two efforts drift wide amid a late Udinese resurgence, but the visitors held on for their first league victory since 6 January.

UDINESE

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Musso (7); Becao (8), De Maio (7), Nuytinck (7); Larsen (6), De Paul (5), Mandragora (6), Fofana (8), Sema (7); Lasagna (6); Okaka (5)

Subs: Zeegalaar (6), Jajalo (6), Teodorczyk (5)

INTER

Key Talking Point

Another day, another game of two halves for Antonio Conte’s Inter.

After an uninspiring first-half display – which saw them struggle yet again to penetrate and break down a deep block –  the introductions of Marcelo Brozovic and especially Sanchez on the hour mark galvanised the hosts. The Nerazzurri capitalised on a more enterprising Udinese side in the second period – with the likes of Nicolo Barella and Sanchez enjoying greater space between the lines while Lukaku started to link-up play to great effect.

The hosts ensured that Inter were tested defensively, but Inter’s underrated back three defended stoutly throughout – helping league debutant Padelli to a rather quiet afternoon.

Overall, Conte will be thrilled with the three points and he’ll be hoping this side can carry the momentum from their second-half display into a season-defining run of fixtures.

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Padelli (6); Skriniar (7), De Vrij (8), Bastoni (7); Moses (6), Vecino (6), Barella (6); Eriksen (5); Lukaku (8), Espositio (4)

Subs: Sanchez (8*), Brozovic (7), D’Ambrosio (6)

Star Man: Alexis Sanchez

After a woeful display last time out against Fiorentina, Alexis bounced back in tremendous fashion with a game-changing performance on Sunday night.

Playing just off Lukaku, the Chilean was able to link-up with the Belgian in a similar fashion to how the suspended Lautaro Martinez so often does.

The Inter loanee was a constant menace between the lines and was superb out of possession – with his determination and work-rate helping him win a penalty for Inter’s second.

Looking Ahead

It’s a huge couple of weeks for Inter. After hosting Milan in the derby next Sunday, Conte’s men take on Napoli in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-finals before travelling to Lazio in two weeks time.

Udinese, meanwhile, host the lowly Brescia in Serie A next weekend.

Manchester United and Wolves both missed out on the chance to go into fifth on Saturday evening following a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.​

Adama Traore had Wolves’ first big chance of the game, but he fired his shot just wide of the post. New United signing Bruno Fernandes had a few opportunities to mark his debut with a goal, the best of his efforts a powerful long shot that went straight into the hands of Rui Patricio.

Manchester United kept firing efforts at goal, with Fernandes’ solid free kick once again comfortably saved by Patricio. Juan Mata’s driven shot flashed just wide of the post, but it remained goalless at Old Trafford as the game approached the hour mark.

United continued to pile the pressure on the visitors, but they couldn’t find the breakthrough. Substitute Mason Greenwood thought he had finally broken the deadlock from close range, but Patricio managed to smother his shot before it could cross the line.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Key Talking Point

After failing to reach the Carabao Cup final on Wednesday, ​Manchester United were looking to return to winning ways. Although they managed to string together some decent chances, the Red Devils didn’t look very convincing and never seemed like causing concern for Patricio.

United were uninspiring and flat in a game they had to win to continue their pursuit of a top four finish, in another underwhelming performance. The only positive was the performance of Bruno Fernandes, whose Red Devils debut was an encouraging sign for the future.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have shown their quality in recent victories, but Saturday was another example of the work to be done at Old Trafford. United were lacklustre and didn’t deserved anything from the game, and should consider themselves lucky to come away with a point.

Player Ratings

Starting XI: De Gea (6); Wan-Bissaka (6), Lindelof (6), Maguire (6), Shaw (5); Fred (6), Fernandes (7*); James (5), Mata (6), Pereira (6); Martial (5).

Substitutes: Greenwood (6), Dalot (N/A), Lingard (N/A).

STAR MAN – Making his Manchester United debut, Bruno Fernandes showed a lot of promise and a snippet of his talent. His passing and control of the ball was impressive to see, and while his shooting wasn’t up to his usual standard, he definitely did have a positive impact in his first game in red.

WOLVES

Key Talking Point

​Wolves were out for revenge after they were knocked out of the FA Cup by United just a few weeks ago. The visitors started positively and had some half chances, with Jimenez, Jota and Traore full of energy going forward.

The Wanderers had good stints of possession, dictating the game through the midfield pivot of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho. However they saw some huge chances pass by, and at the end of the day Wolves will be asking how they didn’t come away with all three points.

Nuno Espirito Santo will take the point in what was a shockingly poor game, but Wolves could’ve taken all three had they been more clinical. They have now failed to beat United in all four meetings this season, missing out on a chance to move into fifth in a mixed result for Nuno’s side.

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Patricio (7*); Boly (6), Coady (7), Saiss (6); Doherty (6), Moutinho (7), Neves (7), Otto (6); Traore (7), Jimenez (6), Jota (6).

Substitutes: Neto (6), Podence (6), Dendoncker (N/A).

STAR MAN – Wolves have goalkeeper Rui Patricio to thank for the point, as the Portuguese international had a superb game in goal. Patricio made save after save in all shapes and form, keeping out everything United threw at him and remaining solid in between the stick all evening long.

Looking Ahead

Manchester United’s two week break comes at a good time, with two big games coming up next. United start with a trip to London to face ​Chelsea on 17 February, before returning to European action three days later when they travel to Club Brugge in the Europa League round of 32.

Wolves have a double bill at Molineux in two weeks, first hosting ​Leicester City on 14 February. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side then play the first leg of their Europa League knockout tie, hosting La Liga side Espanyol on 20 February.

Real Madrid booked their place in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals as they cruised past Real Zaragoza 4-0.

The away side unsurprisingly went ahead early on. Toni Kroos’ short corner was drilled across the six yard box, and Frenchman Raphael Varane fired the ball into the roof of the net from close range.

Federico Valverde missed a golden opportunity to double Madrid’s lead, ballooning his shot well over the bar from inside the penalty area, after finding himself in acres of space. Shortly afterwards, Lucas Vazquez rectified his teammate’s mistake, as he cooly volleyed the ball past Ratón and into the top corner.

During an uneventful beginning to the second half, Shinji Kagawa came closest for the home side. The ball fell to the Japanese international on the edge of the penalty area, but he just lifted his effort narrowly over the bar with his left foot.

Vinicius Junior killed the tie off in the 72nd minute, as he played a neat one-two with James Rodriguez before lifting the ball over the helpless Ratón. His pace proved too much for the tiring Zaragoza defenders, as he burst through with ease.

Substitute Karim Benzema then made it four by being at the right place at the right time. Dani Carvajal was played in behind the Zaragoza defence, before cutting the ball back to the Frenchman, who had the goal at his mercy.

Real Zaragoza

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Key Talking Point

Although Zaragoza will have seen this as a potential opportunity to cause a huge upset, their main priority lies in the league. There were plenty of positives to take from the performance however, as they gave the current La Liga leaders a good game for the most part, but fitness became an issue. They were only stopped by the quality and athleticism of Madrid’s defence and goalkeeper, on their rather frequent counter-attacks.

The home side’s league position will be far more important than a cup run, as they are building up momentum and presenting a clear shout for promotion.

Player Ratings

Ratón (6); Delmas (5), Grippo (5), Atienza (5), Clemente (4); Kagawa (6), Igbekeme (6), Eguaras (5), Soro (6); Linares (6), Pereira (6)

Subs: Parejo (5), Blanco (6), Suarez (6)

James Igbekeme

The midfielder set up most of Zaragoza’s break-aways in the first half, although he fell silent in the second. His energy in the middle protected the back four, but eventually tired as the game wore on. Although his side conceded four, he was the shining light in what looked like a dim performance, especially as the match neared its finale.

However, the scoreline could have been a lot more embarrassing for the home side had he not been in the engine room. His pace helped cut-up Madrid’s attacks and set his own side away, but dwindled towards the end.

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Real Madrid

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Key Talking Point

Madrid have just reached the summit of the La Liga table, and will be pleased that they are on their way to another Copa del Rey quarter final. Although they were the heavy favourites heading into this fixture, they were without the services of top-scorer Karim Benzema for the majority of the tie, and Eden Hazard, and still managed to produce the goods.

Players such as Lucas Vazquez and Luka Jovic, who have not had many opportunities in the first team, delivered very respectable performances. For Zinedine Zidane, it will be very reassuring that he can depend on his back-up players to provide when called upon.

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Player Ratings

Areola (7); Carvajal (7), Varane (9), Ramos (7), Marcelo (8); Rodríguez (7), Kroos (7), Valverde (7); Vazquez (8), Jovic (7), Vinicius Júnior (8).

Subs: Benzema (8), Nacho (6), Diaz (7).

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Raphael Varane

The Frenchman had a superb game for Los Blancos. He nullified the opposition counter-attack, and even scored down the other end. His pace was a great nullifier of Zaragoza’s pace-driven forward play, and his composed head on the ball allowed his team to build from the back.

Although his effort was from close range, Varane did well to find space and evade his marker. Not only did he score, but he acted as a threat from set-pieces at all times, as well as setting Madrid on their way with counter-attacks, just as he has been doing all season.

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Looking Forward

Zaragoza head to table-toppers Cadiz in the Segunda Division, as they look to build on their promotion push back u​p to the La Liga. They then host Fuenlabrada, who sit just below them in the table.

Real Madrid host rivals Atletico Madrid in a crucial match at the top of La Liga, with the home side looking to bring their recent form into the local derby. Los Blancos then travel to Osasuna, who sit in 10th place.

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