Napoli extended their winning run at home over Hellas Verona to 10 games thanks to a 2-0 win via goals from Kalidou Koulibaly and Jose Callejon.
In a game that Maurizio Sarri’s men dominated, they appeared to be heading for frustration due to missed chances, only for the centre-back to pop up with his fourth goal of the campaign.
The early stages were all Napoli and on 16 minutes, Dries Mertens thought he had them in front, only to see his effort come back off the post and was then denied by Nicolas just moments later.
Five minutes later, it was the turn of Lorenzo Insigne to bring the crowd to their feet when he made room for himself on the edge of the penalty box, only to curl his strike narrowly wide with Nicolas beaten.
He went close again before the break after a fine pass from Allan, while the former Udinese midfielder himself had two efforts on goal but neither could break the deadlock as the Mastini trudged off at half-time perhaps fortunate to be level.
Lady luck appeared to have deserted the league leaders even after the break as Nicolas again parried an Insigne effort to safety before he thanked his post once more when the woodwork kept out a header from the Napoli youth product and Mertens was denied by an offside flag.
But there is only so long you can rely on your goalkeeper and the frame of the goal to keep you in the game and sure enough, the Partenopei did move in front on 66 minutes through an unlikely source.
Le but de #Koulibaly ! #NapoliVerona 1??-0?? #SerieA ???????????? pic.twitter.com/ToxKknNunY
— Calciomio (@calciomio) January 6, 2018
Verona came into the game having conceded more goals in the final 30 minutes of play than any other side with 16 and their concentration was found wanting once again as they lost Koulibaly in the area and he rose highest from close range to head home.
With 12 minutes to go, it was an old scourge of Hellas who put the result beyond all doubt when Callejon doubled the winter champions’ advantage.
Bel gooool #callejon 2-0 #NapoliVerona pic.twitter.com/EJXDcdpLvu
— Marktiell’ (@manganiellomark) January 6, 2018
The Spaniard had scored on each of the three previous occasions he faced Verona at home and extended that run to four when he popped up at the back post to beat Nicolas from close range and pile the pressure onto Juventus ahead of their clash with Cagliari.
