Ghana defender Nicholas Opoku played arguably his best game in a Udinese shirt as he helped his side secure a vital away point against SPAL in the serie A on Boxing Day.

Opoku, who started the game in place of Dutch defender Hidde Ter Avest lasted the entire duration and made some crucial interventions at the heart of defence.

SPAL forward Andrea Petagna hit the crossbar in a frenzy opening 15 minutes.

The home side were dominant in the early stages of the game with Manuel Larzarri's 19-minute effort countered by Opoku.

The busy Opoku was again at the rescue of Udinese following a battle with Mattia Valoti five minutes to the break.

Opoku joined Udinese from Tunisian giants Club Africain in the summer and despite a difficult start to life in Italy, the ex-Berekum Chelsea star is beginning to settle at the club.