Napoli were able to overcome a resilient Sampdoria side through their Uruguayan goal machine, Edinson Cavani. In a tightly contested match, Napoli's technical superioity and Serie A experience shone through during the second half when a deserved three points was won.
The deteriorated Sampdoria were the first out of the blocks at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. A corner in the opening minutes, resulted in the first real chance of the afternoon for the home side. Munari was just unable to get a telling connection to a Obiang corner, that was helped on it's way by a near post flick by Krsticic.
After this frantic opening exchange, Sampdoria and Napli began to nullify each other in attacking areas. A war was waged in the centre of the park, which the home side began to dictate.
Sampdoria's dominence in the first 25 minutes culminated in an opening for former Juventus man, Estigarribia, then a clear opportunity for Gastaldello. Young gun Obiang played an exquisite 40 yard diagonal ball into the penalty area, but after controlling the ball brilliantly, Esti failed to volley the ball torwards goal due to the pressure by two of Napoli's three centre backs. Gastaldello chance also came from wonderful from Obiang. His set piece found Gastaldello unmarked inside the penalty are, but a misjudged leap from the centre back meant that the ball ballooned harmlessly over the bar.
Napoli's best opening of the first half, came from a menacing cross by their right sided centre back, Hugo Campagnaro. Edinson Cavani made his famed near post run, and just missed making a clear connection on the ball.
Due to the lack of chances created by his side, and the physicallity of his opponents; Mazzari's frustration boiled over and he was sent to the stands for dissent.
The high pressing tactic utilised by Ciro Ferrara, worked wonders during the first 45 minutes. Cavani, Hamsik and Pandev, were made completely ineffective due to Napoli's inability to get the ball out of a higly congested midfield.
Samp in the second half, were once again the better side during the opening exchanges; but this superiority did not last. They became more clumsy in posession, and due to the high energy first half; Sampdoria's midfield began to look very leggy, allowing Inler and Hamsik to dictate play.
Inler and Hamsik's new found dominence in the middle of the park, culminated in Cavani's goal and Gastaldello's red card. A poor Sampdoria corner kick gave Napoli the opportunity to utilise their famed counter attacking style. The two central midfielder exchange the ball before Hamsik was brought down just outside the penalty area; Paolo Tagliavento however, adjudged the contact to be inside the area and Gastaldello was given his second yellow card of the afternoon. From the resulting penalty kick, Edinson Cavani scored his 100th Serie A goal which proved to be the match winner.
After the goal and red card, the home side struggled to threaten De Sanctis goal. Only Obiang's 25 yard effort, which went just over the bar, was the only moment of panic for Mazzari's side.
This win keeps Napoli in touching distance of Juventus, and reaffirms their position as the only real challengers to La Vecchia Signora this season.