Billy Gilmour and Lorenzo Lucca both opened their Napoli accounts at the Stadio Maradona on Monday night as Antonio Conte's men beat Pisa 3-2 to make it four wins from four in Serie A this season.
The Scot fired home the opener shortly before the break after buying himself a yard with a clever dummy.
After the restart, M'Bala Nzola levelled from the spot for the visitors but Leo Spinazzola's low finish then restored the lead.
Lucca came off the bench with 13 minutes remaining and wasted little time in displaying the sort of clinical finishing he is capable of as he struck a fierce shot into the top corner after being played in by Scott McTominay.
Lorran reduced the arrears on the stroke of the 90 and it made for a nervy finale but the Azzurri held on to claim a vital three points.
Antonio Conte offered the following assessment of the match:
“Pisa played with energy and have good individuals. It was a tough game and we knew it would be. I got a bit angry when we let our focus slip but I realise that playing three games in a week is not easy. A lull at the end can be the result of the understandable physical and mental stress.
“We have a big squad but they haven't all settled in properly yet. We signed nine new players and some of them are still coming to terms with the expectations of playing as the reigning champions. I've been saying since the start of the season that we need to be patient with the newcomers especially, because with time and more playing time they'll improve. We mustn't place too much pressure on them. This is the hardest year to manage because we have more competitions and we'll gradually need to get everyone in the best physical and mental shape so that we can show our true worth.
“I'm happy for Lucca and for the team. He's working hard. I keep telling him to stay calm and be patient because I know what qualities he has and I know how much potential he has.”
The goalscorer himself then expressed his joy:
“I'm delighted because the goal also meant three points to us. It was important for us to win today to stay at the top.
“Conte got me really fired me up in the week. He told me to follow his instructions and always be ready. We've bounced back from losing in Manchester, when we managed to stay in the game despite playing a man light. We're a solid, close-knit group and we want to show it.”
The man who scored Napoli's second goal, Spinazzola also had his say after the game:
“We knew it wouldn't be easy to beat Pisa. They're a well-drilled team in great physical shape. We've got three very important points and we must keep looking forward.
“We've taken maximum points so far but it's a long season. At 3-1 the game should have been over but we let our attention levels drop and ended up having to dig in until the final whistle. We deserved to win. We just need to be a bit more careful sometimes.”
Napoli 3-2 Pisa (HT 1-0)
Scorers: Gilmour 39, Nzola 60 (pen), Spinazzola 73, Lucca 82, Lloran 90.
NAPOLI: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Beukema, Buongiorno, Spinazzola, Gilmour (Lobotka 58) Politano, Elmas (Anguissa 58), De Bruyne, McTominay, Hojlund (Lucca 77).
Coach: Antonio Conte.
PISA: Semper; Canestrelli, Caracciolo, Lusuardi, Leris (Cuadrado 61), Marin (Lloran 80), Aebischer, Akinsamiro, Bonfanti (Angori 74), Moreo (Meister 61), Nzola (Tramoni 74).
Coach: Alberto Gilardino.
Referee: Crezzini (Siena).
Booked: Caracciolo, Spinazzola, Lusuardi.
