Napoli pass crucial Atalanta test without top scorer Victor Osimhen

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen was absent as SSC Napoli tied AC Milan at the top of Serie A following a 2-1 win over Atalanta. 

Napoli were without the Nigerian forward and top scorer, who missed the successful trip at the Gweiss Stadium in Bergamo due to an accumulation of cards.

However, in his absence, Lorenzo Insigne and Matteo Politano rose to the occasion to lead the Luciano Spaletti side to a hard-fought win on the road.

Insigne opened the scoring for the visitors from the spot in the first quarter of the game to put them ahead.

The 30-year-old then turned provider after an excellently executed free-kick routine, finished by Politano to double Napoli's advantage at the break.

After the break, Marten de Roon halved the deficit for Atalanta with a superb header just before the hour mark.

But the goal turned out to be a consolation for Gian Gasperini's side when substitute, Eljif Elmas restored Napoli's two-goal lead nine minutes from time to seal the win.

Not quite a comfortable day for Spaletti and his Blues but they got the job done at Bergamo to pile on the pressure on leaders, AC Milan, who take on Bologna on Monday.  

Osimhen, who has scored 11 goals in the Serie A since season, is expected to be back when Napoli host Fiorentina next Sunday.