Juve lose top spot after Atalanta stalemate

The Turin giants are now joint second on the league table with Inter Milan

MILAN: Napoli took sole possession of top spot in Serie A on Sunday with a 3-0 win over Cagliari as champions Juventus's winning run stalled 2-2 at Atalanta.

The stalemate ended the six-time defending champions' run of six consecutive wins leaving them joint second with Inter Milan — who beat Benevento 2-1 — with big-scoring Napoli top on a maximum 21 points.

"I was worried at the end, as we could have lost it and every point will be precious come the end of the season," said Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri.

Juventus had been two goals up in Bergamo after Federico Bernardeschi opened on 21 minutes and Gonzalo Higuain added a second four minutes later.

But on-loan Juventus defender Mattia Caldara turned in a rebound to pull one back for Atalanta after half an hour to keep the hosts in touch at the break.

Mario Mandzukic thought he had scored for 3-1, but it was disallowed when the video assistant referee ruled Stephan Lichtsteiner had elbowed Gomez in the face.

Bryan Cristante nodded in a Alejandro Gomez cross to level on 67 minutes for Atalanta who finished fourth in Serie A last season.

Paolo Dybala missed a chance to grab the winner nine minutes from time when Juventus were awarded a penalty — also through the video referee — after an Andrea Petagna handball in the box.

But Albanian goalkeeper Etrit Berisha saved the kick to frustrate the Argentine striker who nevertheless remains top of the Serie A goalscorers with ten so far.