Scott McTominay delivered a masterclass in midfield resilience, scoring twice to salvage a vital point for Napoli in a pulsating 2-2 draw away to Serie A leaders Inter Milan on Sunday night.
McKings of the San Siro
The Scotland international, dubbed 'Scott McKing' by the Neapolitan press, was the undisputed player of the match, dragging his injury-ravaged side back from the brink on two separate occasions. The result at the San Siro prevented Inter from opening a potentially decisive seven-point gap at the summit, keeping Napoli firmly in the title hunt.
Coming into the match, the stakes could not have been higher. Inter, on a run of six consecutive league wins, held a four-point advantage over the defending champions. With AC Milan dropping points earlier on Sunday, a victory for Simone Inzaghi's side would have sent a formidable message. Napoli's task was compounded by a severe injury crisis, missing key figures including Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and the in-form David Neres.
A Game of Twists and Controversy
Inter started explosively, taking the lead in the ninth minute through Federico Dimarco's clinical finish after a devastating team move. McTominay was initially at fault, losing possession to Piotr Zielinski, but he swiftly atoned for his error. In the 26th minute, he arrived perfectly in the six-yard box to convert Eljif Elmas's cut-back, capitalising on hesitant Inter defending to level the scores.
The momentum swung again in the second half following a contentious penalty decision. Napoli's Amir Rrahmani was adjudged to have fouled Henrikh Mkhitaryan after a VAR review, prompting furious protests from manager Antonio Conte, who was subsequently sent off. Hakan Calhanoglu ruthlessly dispatched the spot-kick off the post to restore Inter's lead.
Just as conspiracy theories began to brew, McTominay intervened once more. In the 81st minute, showing the instincts of a seasoned striker, he met a hooked cross from substitute Noa Lang with a superb first-time volley to make it 2-2. Inter came close to a winner when Mkhitaryan struck the post in stoppage time, but a draw was a fair reflection of a fiercely contested encounter.
Title Race Stays Alive
The point means Inter maintain their four-point buffer at the top with 43 points from 19 games, while Napoli stay in third with 39 points, just one behind AC Milan. For McTominay, it was a statement start to 2026, a year in which he will aim to surpass the extraordinary highs of 2025—a period that saw him win Serie A and fire Scotland to the World Cup.
In a post-match interview, the relentless midfielder embodied his team's spirit: "This team will not give in or back down one millimetre," he declared, highlighting Napoli's injury woes. On this evidence, as long as 'Scott McKing' is on the pitch, Napoli's title defence remains very much alive.
