Napoli beat Udinese to keep pressure on Roma

Napoli maintained their winning run in Serie A by beating Udinese 3-1 at the Stadio San Paolo this afternoon.

It took Rafael Benitez's side only eight minutes to take the lead as Dries Mertens exchanged passes with Gonzalo Higuain before driving into the box and firing a low shot into the far corner.

© Getty Images

They doubled their advantage 13 minutes later when Manolo Gabbiadini raced onto Marek Hamsik's threaded pass and finished past Orestis Karnezis.

Cyril Thereau quickly pulled a goal back for the visitors as he made the most of a mix up at the back to lift a strike beyond the onrushing Rafael and into the net.

Udinese were very nearly level at the end of the first half, but Silvan Widmer could only fire his shot high and wide of the target.

The Bianconeri continued to look for a way back into the match, but they fell further behind in the 59th minute when Thereau diverted a free kick into his own net.

Jonathan de Guzman came close to extending Napoli's lead in the closing stages, but he saw his first effort saved by the keeper, before firing wide from inside the box.

It mattered little, as Napoli managed to see the game out and claim their fourth league victory in succession.