Napoli and Lazio met at the Stadio San Paolo on Sunday night, with both teams desperate for a win in the early stages.

The Naples club had taken just two points from a possible nine heading into the game, a 2-1 loss to Sassuolo on opening day followed up by consecutive 2-2 draws against Sampdoria and Empoli respectively.

Meanwhile, the capital club Lazio had won two of their first three, but concerns were still prevalent following their opening day demolition by Chievo Verona.

Lots at stake for the primetime game then, with both teams possessing some quality players determined to make an impact.

Lazio would struggle to contain a fierce Napoli attack on paper which contained dynamic players such as Hamsik, Callejon and Insigne, as well as the prolific Higuain. Matri started for the visitors, fresh from a brace against Udinese, while Keita and Mauri would also provide threats.

Onazi had an early opportunity as the ball fell to him 20 yards out, but his sidefoot effort in the 4th minute went over. He was of course the scorer who gave Lazio the lead in Napoli in the crucial match towards the end of last season.

Higuain stars

Gonzalo Higuain almost made it 1-0 a minute later, Marchetti needing to be alert as he tipped wide an effort from just a few yards following a lovely ball through by Insigne.

Keita Balde then should have scored in the 7th minute as Basta prized Napoli open from right back, pulling back for Keita who shot over from the penalty spot when he should have forced a save.

In a frantic opening, Insigne then went on an enterprising run down the left before crossing, the ball eventually falling to Allan who had his effort from 18 yards deflected narrowly wide with Marchetti rooted to the spot.

Napoli did take the lead in the 14th minute, and it was the talisman Gonzalo Higuain who scored it. Receiving the ball with his back to goal, he turned his marker and produced a wonderful finish into the bottom left corner with Marchetti not even moving.

It was sweet revenge for Higuain, who missed a penalty in the meeting between the two sides that proved to be the difference between Champions League qualification for Napoli.

The game descended into somewhat of a lull in terms of chances but not action, with the home team moving the ball around superbly and pressing Lazio at every opportunity. Their movement off the ball was making life very difficult for Pioli's side.

It was the home side who deservedly made it 2-0 with 35 minutes on the clock. A wonderful move allowed Insigne to slide the ball through to the onrushing Allan, who made no mistake 1-on-1 with Marchetti.

Allan made it two goals in two with that strike, having scored last week against Empoli, and creating some breathing space between Lazio and his team in this game.

In-form Insigne

Insigne was playing the game of his life, and was close to making it 3-0 in the 38th minute as he sidestepped before unleashing a curling effort that Mauricio blocked.

At half time it was 2-0 to the home side, the scoreline reflecting the gulf between the two sides through the first 45.

Sarri's side looked disciplined but creative, rarely allowing Lazio out of their half and creating a hatful of chances. The intensity of Napoli was fantastic to watch, with plenty of individual performances amounting to a brilliant collective one.

Pioli and Lazio had some serious rethinking to do during the break if they were to make the game respectable let alone get anything, while for Napoli the order would surely be more of the same.

It was the perfect start to the second half for Napoli as they bagged a decisive third goal with just two minutes gone. Higuain ghosted between the centre backs and had his shot saved, but Insigne was there to follow up for a deserved goal.

The goal put Napoli out of sight and was a testament to their performance thus far. The question surely was how many now.

Higauin made it 4-0 a minute before the hour with a clinical finish. Having been put through on goal, he made no mistake, scoring his 10th goal in five games against Lazio.

The Neapolitans had been a joy to watch going forward, but one couldn't help but think Lazio were so much better than this.

Insigne could have made it five in the 71st minute when he cut inside and beat Mauricio for the umpteenth time, launching a shot straight at Marchetti when either side would have likely got him a second goal.

Manolo Gabbiadini was on target for Napoli's 5th goal with just over ten minutes remaining. Allan, who was also having a brilliant game, fed the former Sampdoria man, and he finished confidently to rub salt in the Eagles' wounds.

Athletically, Lazio had been miles behind the home side in terms of fitness and sharpness, and they had paid the price fully.

Keita had a shot saved by Reina with just over a minute of normal time remaining, the 'keeper doing well to stop the effort from close range. Milinkovic-Savic then hit the bar with a header from the resulting corner with a soft header.

The Naples crowd was electric having seen their team blow away the opponent that caused them so much heartache last year.

It was a well earned and well executed demolition job that saw Napoli move up to 11th and move back into the positive in goal difference. Lazio, meanwhile, stay 10th.

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