Early goals help Napoli ease past Inter Milan at Stadio San Paolo

Napoli have returned to form with a 3-0 victory over Inter Milan this evening, taking them to within one point of Serie A's top three.

The Partenopei, who had won just one of their last six in all competitions prior to Inter's visit, raced into a two-goal lead with five minutes on the clock and did not look back.

For Inter, on the other hand, who themselves made a strong start in their last outing to earn a first win under Stefano Pioli, they now find themselves seven points adrift of their opponents after an end to their upturn in fortunes.

Piotr Zielinski swept the ball home two minutes in at the end of an impressive team move for his first Napoli goal, before turning provider moments later as Marek Hamsik held his run to tuck home the second.

Inter attempted to recover from the two-goal deficit, with Mauro Icardi turning and shooting wide inside the box, but the hosts also looked lively and Samir Handanovic was needed to keep out another Hamsik drive.

Pepe Reina was busy up the other end as the first half transpired, blocking Icardi well before Ivan Perisic saw his attempt end narrowly wide of the target.

The points were in the bag less than 10 minutes into the second half when Lorenzo Insigne tucked home from close range after a corner was not dealt with, all but condemning Inter to a first league loss under their new boss.

Still Napoli went in search of a fourth to round things off, with Manolo Gabbiadini and Faouzi Ghoulam - linked to Chelsea this week - each testing Handanovic.

Perisic and Rodrigo Palacio came close to bagging a late consolation, but neither could find a way through on what was a disappointing evening for the visiting side.