Napoli defeated Chievo 3-1 at the Stadio San Paolo on Saturday evening in Serie A, ending a three-game winless run.
Nicola Rigoni gave the Flying Donkeys the most incredible of starts with a sweet finish but it was swiftly cancelled out by top scorer Gonzalo Higuain. Vlad Chiriches got the home side ahead just before half-time. Jose Callejon capped off the win in the second half.
With Napoli looking to put the pressure on title rivals Juventus, Maurizio Sarri’s men needed a good start to get themselves in the ascendency.
Instead, after just 90 seconds, Chievo took the lead. Rigoni was the man to do the damage, latching onto a defensive error from Chiriches before spanking his effort past Pepe Reina.
Despite the early setback, the Partenopei got themselves level moments later. A wonderful through-ball from Marek Hamsik gave Faouzi Ghoulam acres of space to cross to the unmarked Higuain who turned home.
The open start to the match soon trickled out, with the next notable chance falling again to Napoli’s goalscorer, yet the Argentinian could only volley wide in what was a repeat of the opportunity that led to his first goal.
Chievo would have the next opening via Sergio Pellissier, who struck the post, but was also ruled offside during the attack.
Just before the break Napoli would be ahead. It was Chiriches, atoning for his earlier error, crashing home a header from a Jorginho cross.
The second half was a less frantic affair, with the first real chance of note not arriving until the hour mark. Higuain struck a shot that Albano Bizzari got a strong hand to that meant the shot hit the crossbar and bounced harmlessly out of play.
However the third goal was right around the corner following a lovely passing move, leaving Callejon the simplest of finishes.
The result means Napoli move level on points with Juventus, who take on Atalanta tomorrow.
