Goran Pandev continued his good recent form with two more goals in Napoli’s 3:3 draw against Udinese.

The 30-year-old Pandev once again filled in for the injured Marek Hamšík in the trequartista role in Napoli’s 4-2-3-1 formation.  Goran scored his two goals in quick succession in the 38th and 41st minute.  His first goal came on a sliding effort from close range following a corner kick from the right.  The corner reached Napoli defender Federico Fernández who made a headed pass that led to Goran scoring in front of the goal.  Pandev’s second goal came on a quick turn and spin before he slotted an effort past the Udinese keeper Željko Brkić.  It was a similar goal to the one Goran scored in the previous game as well.

The two goals by Pandev handed Napoli a 2:0 home lead, but Udinese pulled one back just before halftime thanks to an own goal by Federico Fernández.  Udinese then managed an equalizer in the 70th minute after some terrible positioning by the Napoli keeper Rafael Cabral, making his first league start of the season in place of Pepe Reina. 

Napoli, though, responded almost immediately and once again had the lead in the 71st minute after Macedonia born Swiss international Blerim Dzemaili scored on a rebound opportunity.  Pandev had found his teammate Gonzalo Higuaín whose shot was saved by Brkić, but Dzemaili was in the right spot to tap in the rebound into the Udinese goal.

Pandev was substituted in the 74th minute by Rafa Benítez who brought on Dries Mertens in his place.

Udinese made sure to take home a point when they made it 3:3 in the 80th minute.  Following a corner, the ball eventually found Dušan Basta who scored from close range to beat Rafael Cabral.

The two goals moved Pandev into a tie for 8th place on the goalscoring list in Serie A this season.  He now has 6 goals, the same number as players such as Mario Balotelli, Antonio Cassano, Alberto Gilardino and Marek Hamšík.