At the other end, Perisic should score. The Croatian had timed his run perfectly to connect with Brozovic’s cross, but he cannot hit the target with his header.
89'
CHANCE! Almost for Gabbiadini. The Napoli striker deserves a goal this evening after a tireless display, but - despite being unmarked at the back post - he can only skew his volley into the side-netting.
87'
It is nothing more than keep ball at the moment for Napoli while they do have possession. Koulibaly looks to change that momentarily with one of his trademark runs out from the back, but the defender does not venture too far before recycling possession off to a teammate.
85'
More fine work from Reina, who covers for Albiol with a terrific save low to his right following sloppy play from the former Real Madrid defender.
82'
M. Brozović gets yellow.
Delightful play from Rog, who draws a clumsy tackle from Mario with a wonderful turn. The Portugal midfielder avoids a booking, though Brozovic does go into the book for dissent.
80'
We’re into the final 10 minutes now, with Napoli just cruising towards a well-deserved victory...
77'
There has also been a third and final change for the visitors. Antonio Candreva has made way, with Rodrigo Palacio his replacement.
76'
M. Rog enters the game and replaces M. Hamšík.
R. Palacio enters the game and replaces A. Candreva.
Napoli forge an opportunity on the counter, with the ball rebounding out to Hamsik at the edge of the area, only for the skipper to hack his volley well off target.
A standing ovation now for Marek Hamsik, as Napoli’s skipper makes way. He is replaced by Marko Rog, the Croatian youngster coming on to make his Napoli debut.
75'
Eder has bagged five goals in his last five Serie A clashes against Napoli, all in a Sampdoria shirt. However, the Italy forward has yet to find an opening so far since coming on as a substitute.
72'
Inter have sparked back into life since that chance for Candreva, and are looking dangerous. Brozovic is the next to have a go, as he sees two successive long-range efforts deflect wide. The resulting corners, however, come to nothing.
Minute
Description
70'
CLOSE! Well, there is the warning sign for Napoli. Perisic found space down the left, and found the run of Candreva with a superb cross. The former Lazio winger looked to have done everything right, but Reina got down to make a superb save. Moments later, Icardi tries his luck from range, but the Spain goalkeeper is again on hand to make a save.
67'
Raúl Albiol gets yellow.
As Albiol picks up a card for a late tackle on Icardi, Napoli seem content to set the tempo without really making any inroads going forward. inter, for their part, look devoid of any ideas.
65'
SAVE! With a 3-0 lead, Napoli can take some liberties, and Gabbiadini does just that as, after he had got the better of his marker, he tries his luck with a low strike from an acute angle. Handanovic, however, makes a comfortable stop.
63'
Inter are pushing, but to no avail so far. Koulibaly and Albiol have dealt with anything thrown at them so far this evening.
61'
C. Maggio enters the game and replaces E. Hysaj.
Sarri makes a second change in quick-succession, with veteran defender Christian Maggio coming on to replace Elseid Hysaj.
59'
A first change now from Sarri as, just before the hour-mark, former Sunderland midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini comes on in place of Lorenzo Insigne.
58'
E. Giaccherini enters the game and replaces L. Insigne.
CHANCE! That should have been 4-0! It is so easy for Napoli at the moment, with Hamsik just able to breeze through Inter’s midfield with ease. The Slovakian plays a crisp one-two with Insigne to open up an opportunity, but he fails to beat Handanovic from close-range.
56'
João Mário enters the game and replaces G. Kondogbia.
A second change now for Inter. Geoffrey Kondogbia is removed after another ineffective display, and Joao Mario comes on in his place.
54'
Well, Inter had looked good in the opening stages of the second-half, but surely, Insigne’s strike has all-but snubbed out any resistance?
51'
L. Insigne has scored a goal for Napoli!
GOOOOOAAAAALLLL!! INSIGNE GETS A THIRD! Napoli keep up the pressure with a succession of corners, and now they have their reward. Handanovic made a decent save to hook clear Ghoulam’s corner, but the ball is worked back into the area, and Insigne is on hand to cushion home a volley.
50'
CHANCE! Immense from Napoli, and in particular Hamsik, as the playmaker carves open Inter with a swift counter that he is at the heart of. The ball is eventually worked into Callejon, but Handanovic gets down to parry his effort away from goal.
48'
Neat play from Inter, who seem to have come out from the break with renewed vigour. Unsold delivers a good ball into the area, only for Brozovic to mistime his header. Inter maintain the pressure, though, leading to Perisic driving just inches wide from the edge of Napoli’s area.
46'
Éder enters the game and replaces É. Banega.
Welcome back! We’re back underway at San Paolo. There has been one change at the interval, with Eder replacing Ever Banega for Inter.
45' +2
P. Zieliński gets yellow.
A yellow card for Zielinski, who felled Icardi on the half-way line.
45' +1
END TO END! Chances for both sides now, right on the stroke of half-time. First, Reina is called into action to prevent Kondogbia’s header sneaking in, before the former Liverpool goalkeeper exhibits his world-class distribution with an incredible throw out to Insigne. The Italy forward powers forward, proceeding to find Zielinski in the area, but the midfielder cannot get his effort away.
45'
C. Ansaldi gets yellow.
Reckless from Ansaldi, who picks up a booking for a late lunge on Diawara, though on second viewing the challenge was probably not worthy of a card.
44'
Superb play from Gabbiadini, who improvises on the ball and flicks a lovely pass into Hamsik. The midfielder tees himself up with a top-class first touch, proceeding to unleash a thunderous effort goal-wards, but Handanovic is equal to it.
42'
A real worry for Inter, as Banega goes down with an inconspicuous-looking knee injury. The physio has deemed him okay to continue, though both Stevan Jovetic and Joao Mario have been sent out to warm up as we approach half-time.
40'
Gabbiadini’s movement is causing havoc for Inter’s defence, and once more the former Sampdoria man drifts out wide before sliding a throughball into the path of Insigne. The winger has D’Ambrosio tracking him, but despite managing to shrug off the defender, he can only slice a cross-cum-shot off target.
39'
Hamsik’s strike was his 104th goal in Napoli colours across all competitions. That brings him level with Edinson Cavani.
37'
SAVE! That is a great stop by Handanovic, who has to react instinctively to deny Gabbiadini for a second occasion. The Napoli forward is growing in condifence...
34'
STAT - Icardi has the best touches per goal ratio in Serie A this season, netting every 28 touches.
32'
CHANCE! That’s wasteful from Icardi who, after getting into the box with just one man to beat, he elects to try and find Perisic, and Hysaj is on hand to clear the danger.
31'
A bit of concern now for Callejon, who has stated down after a heavy tackle from Ansaldi. Thankfully for Napoli, though, the winger has got back to his feet swiftly enough.
29'
Napoli’s work both on and off the ball has been supreme, with the wonderful movement of their forward line leaving Inter’s defence all at sea. Again, Sarri’s side string together a terrific passing move - simply teasing their opposition - only for Hamsik to drill his eventual strike straight at Handanovic.
27'
The game has settled into a steady rhythm now, with Napoli in no rush to force the issue. However, with the pace of their counter-attacks, they present a constant threat to Inter’s shaky back-line.
25'
Napoli are unbeaten at home against Inter in Serie A in the last 10 clashes (7W, 3D). The Nerazzurri’s last top-flight win at the San Paolo came in 1997/98 (2-0).
23'
From the resulting corner, Reina grasps onto Candreva’s strike, and quickly picks out Hamsik. Napoli’s playmaker powers towards goal, eventually stopping on the cusp of Inter’s area. He assesses his options, before electing to float a delivery to Callejon at the back post, only for the Spaniard to had strayed offside in the build-up.
21'
What a mistake from Napoli, who almost gift Inter a way back into this game. Brozovic picks up Koulibaly’s loose pass, and proceeds to feed Icardi, but Reina is out quickly to smother the danger.
20'
CLOSE! Better from Inter, as Banega finally manages to find some space in an advanced position. The former Sevilla man duly picks out his compatriot Icardi, who skims the top of the woodwork with a rasping effort.
19'
CHANCE! Mesmerising play from Insigne, who cuts inside from the left before floating a delightful cross into the centre. Gabbiadini is on hand to meet it with a header, but his effort trickles wide.
18'
Kondogbia and Brozovic have both been brought in from the cold somewhat after they were all-but discarded by De Boer. However, Inter’s midfield has been over-run on too many occasions so far, with Napoli easily cutting out the supply-lines into the visitors’ front four.
16'
Inter are winless away from home in the last four league games, losing three and drawing one. They were, however, the only side to beat Napoli at San Paolo last term.
13'
Quality play from Zielinski, who along with Hamsik is running the show at the moment. The youngster picks out the run of Gabbiadini with a superb pass, but after latching onto the forward’s return pass, can only hammer his strike over the bar.
11'
A first opportunity for Inter, but Candreva fails to hit the target. The Italy winger had done well to drive through Napol’s midfield, only to thump his long-range strike well wide. The home side race up the other end, with Handanovic having to pull off a fine save to deny Gabbiadini.
10'
One player who has not had any issues finding the back of the net is Inter skipper Icardi, who is Serie A’s joint top-scorer with 12 goals this term. However, the Argentine has hardly had a touch of the ball so far...
8'
Inter are shellshocked at the moment, with Napoli looking threatening every time they move into the final third. The hosts had been struggling for goals in recent weeks, but that certainly hasn’t been the case in the opening stages this evening!
5'
A. Ranocchia gets yellow.
M. Hamšík has scored a goal for Napoli! Assist by P. Zieliński.
GOOOOOAAAALLLLL!!! IT’S A SECOND FOR NAPOLI! An incredible start in Naples, where the hosts’ captain Hamsik has just doubled their tally. The midfielder raced in behind Inter’s shambolic defence, and made no mistake with a precise finish into the bottom-left corner.
Zielinski, just a few moments after putting Napoli ahead, turned provider for Hamsik’s strike with a quiet superb throughball.
4'
That goal has thrown this clash wide open, with Inter now chasing an immediate response. However, reckless play from Ranocchia sees the Inter defender go into the book for a foul on Gabbiadini.
2'
P. Zieliński has scored a goal for Napoli! Assist by José Callejón.
Positive early intent from the hosts, as Callejon gets down the right and swings in a dangerous cross, but Gabbiadini - who has struggled for form in front of goal - cannot get on the end of it.
GOOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLL!!! WHAT A START FOR NAPOLI! Wonderful football from Sarri’s side, as they take the lead at the culmination of a sublime move. Callejon is picked out by Hamsik’s precise cross, and the former Real Madrid man is able to head the ball back into the path of Zielinski who, despite scuffing his finish somewhat, manages to find the bottom corner.
It was a brilliant move from the hosts, with Hamsik the architect with a pinpoint delivery into Callejon. The winger may have just strayed offside, but he is given the benefit of the doubt, and his header teed Zielinski up for the Pole’s first Napoli goal.
1'
KICK-OFF! We are up and running at Stadio San Paolo! Napoli, who are chasing what would be just a second win in six games in all competitions, have got proceedings underway.
Hello and welcome, football fans, to LIVE coverage of Friday's Serie A clash, as seventh-placed Napoli take on Inter, who sit in eighth. Stick right here for all the action as it happens from Stadio San Paolo!
It has been a disappointing season for Napoli so far, with Maurizio Sarri's men unable to replicate the form that saw them finish second last term. However, a victory this evening would move the hosts within touching distance of the top three.
Inter, meanwhile, have enjoyed something of a resurgence following Frank De Boer's dismissal. They are unbeaten in their last three matches, with new manager Stefano Pioli having taken four points from his two games in charge so far.
Team news is in now from Naples. Let’s start off with the hosts…
TEAM NEWS - Napoli substitutes: Rafael, Sepe, Strinic, Giaccherini, Allan, Maggio, Jorginho, Maksimovic, Chiriches, Rog, R.Insigne, El Kaddouri.
It’s the usual 4-3-3 system for Napoli, with Sarri having made four changes in total following the draw with Sassuolo last time out. In come Raul Albiol, Faouzi Ghoulam, Piotri Zielinksi and Amadou Diawara, with Vlad Chiriches, Ivan Strinic, Jorginho and Allan all making way.
TEAM NEWS - Inter (4-2-3-1): Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, Ranocchia, Miranda, Ansaldi; Brozovic, Kondogbia; Candreva, Banega, Perisic; Icardi.
TEAM NEWS - Inter substitutes: Carrizo, Andreolli, Melo, Joao Mario, Palacio, Jovetic, Biabiany, Eder, Murillo, Nagatomo, Barbosa.
Pioli, on the other hand, has stuck with the starting XI that despatched Fiorentina 4-2 last weekend. It means that Mauro Icardi, who netted a double in that match, starts up top, while Marcelo Brozovic and Geoffrey Kondogbia continue in central midfield following their reinstatement back into the first-team fold.
A victory for the visitors would lift them to within just a point of Napoli, but history is not on their side - Inter have won only two of their last 11 Serie A games against the Naples club.
A moment of reflection now, as the players and crowd pay their respects to the victims of the plane crash in Colombia, which has left the world of football in mourning.
TEAM NEWS - Napoli (4-3-3): Reina; Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Zielinski, Diawara, Hamsik; Callejon, Gabbiadini, L.Insigne.
HALF-TIME! That’s it for a fast-paced opening 45 minutes in Naples, where early strikes from Zielinski and Hamsik have handed Napoli a commanding 2-0 lead over Inter.
Work to do then for Pioli at the interval, as his side have been outclassed and outmatched in every department so far. As for Sarri, he will simply be demanding more of the same from his side.
FULL TIME! It is all over in tonight’s Serie A clash, with Napoli having claimed a convincing 3-0 triumph over a lacklustre Inter.
It’s a brilliant night for Sarri’s side, who move up to sixth place in Serie A, and just one point behind third-placed Milan. It was a comprehensive display, with Hamsik and Zielinski undoubtedly the stars of the show.
Well, that’s all from me for now. Until next time, thank you and goodbye!
As for Inter, Pioli will have to go back to the drawing board after this defeat. They did create some opportunities, but defensively they were never a match for Napoli’s free-flowing forwards.
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