Slovakian international Marek Hamsik scored the only goal of the game as Napoli claimed maximum points from their trip to Cagliari this evening.

© AP Photos

The first chance went the way of the hosts in the 11th minute but Danilo Avelar was unable to keep his flicked effort on target following a cross from Nene.

Napoli's best chance of the half fell to the feet of Lorenzo Insigne. However, the attacking midfielder guided his effort just wide of the upright from inside the penalty area.

The visitors created the better goalscoring opportunities after the restart and their pressure was eventually rewarded with 73 minutes on the clock. Hamsik found himself with time and space 12 yards from goal and he sent an instant shot into the bottom-right corner of the net.

Daniele Conti went closest to earning the hosts a point four minutes before the final whistle, but his right-footed shot skidded past the post.

Napoli's victory has lifted them up to third in the Serie A table.