Napoli have leapfrogged Inter Milan to move top of the Serie A table after battling to a 2-1 win over their opponents at the Stadio San Paolo this evening.

Gonzalo Higuain needed just two minutes to give the hosts an early lead, when he seized upon a loose ball inside the box, before rifling a powerful drive into the top corner.

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Marek Hamsik was next to threaten for the home side, but his strike from the edge of the box was comfortably gathered by Samir Handanovic.

As the half progressed, Inter started to pose more of a threat and Fredy Guarin had his side's first attempt with a powerful strike that sailed inches wide of the post.

Moments later Mauro Icardi connected with Danilo D'Ambrosio's cross and directed a header off target, before Ivan Perisic turned an effort wide of Pepe Reina's goal.

The Nerazzurri's hopes of getting back into the match took a blow a minute before the break as Yuto Nagatomo's foul on Allan saw the Japan international sent off for a second bookable offence.

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Napoli took a firm grip of the match when the teams emerged for the second half, and they doubled their lead just past the hour mark when Higuain raced onto Raul Albiol's header over the top, before holding off two defenders and firing a strike into the far corner.

Five minutes later Inter managed to cut their opponents' lead in half as Adem Ljajic collected a loose ball inside the box and worked some space before drilling a low shot past Reina and into the bottom corner.

The goal provided Inter with renewed hope and Marcelo Brozovic fired narrowly wide with a strike from just outside the box.

In the final minute Higuain almost made the points safe for Napoli with a fierce attempt that was stopped by Handanovic, but it made no difference to the final result, as Maurizio Sarri's side held on to send out a message to their title rivals.