Sunday 2 April 2017 23:05, UK
Gonzalo Higuain failed to score on his long-awaited return to Napoli, where Serie A leaders Juventus were held to a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
The Argentinian left Stadio San Paolo under a cloud in the summer, joining Napoli's title rivals Juve for £75m on the back of a record-equalling 36-goal season.
Higuain, who should be back in Naples again for a Coppa Italia semi-final showdown on Wednesday night, live on Sky Sports 5 HD from 7.40pm, was largely anonymous in the face of an extremely hostile reception from his former fan base.
Sami Khedira covered for Higuain's jitters by giving Juve a seventh-minute lead but Napoli were the better side throughout and managed to grab a deserved equaliser through Marek Hamsik on the hour mark.
The gap between the clubs remains 10 points, meaning Napoli stand little chance of catching the Bianconeri over the eight-game run-in.
Basement boys Crotone retain a glimmer of hope they can secure a shock survival in the top flight after beating Chievo 2-1 in Verona.
Pescara remain bottom of the pile despite earning a point from a creditable 1-1 draw with AC Milan on the east coast.
Gabriel Paletta scored an unfortunate early own goal by passing the ball back to the unprepared teenage Rossoneri goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Pescara were only denied a famous win by Mario Pasalic's 41st-minute equaliser.
Palermo went into this weekend's round of games determined to close the seven-point gap on 17th-placed Empoli, but they are still in dire straits following a 3-1 loss to Cagliari.
Genoa, who are 12 points clear of the drop zone, look likely to avoid relegation but a 5-0 home hammering against Atalanta did little to appease their unhappy fans.
Emiliano Moretti and Andrea Belotti scored late goals as Torino snatched a 2-2 draw with Udinese.
Elsewhere, eighth-placed Fiorentina sustained their bid for Europa League football as substitute Khouma Babacar clinched a 1-0 win against Bologna.
