The Scudetto mood was back at the Maradona on Saturday night as goals by Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia secured a hard-fought win over Cagliari.
The Nigerian was a real livewire throughout the encounter and, having honed his sights in the first half, the newly crowned African Player of the Year powered an unstoppable header past Simone Scuffet midway through the second to notch his first Serie A goal since before his injury layoff.
Cagliari got back on level terms immediately when former Napoli striker Leonardo Pavoletti netted from close range but that was the cue for a moment of brilliance from Osimhen.
The Nigerian juggled his way past three defenders using a combination of head, chest, thigh and foot before centring for Kvara to smash home what proved to be the winner.
Victory sends Napoli back into the top four awaiting results elsewhere as attentions now turn to Tuesday's cup clash with Frosinone.
Napoli 2-1 Cagliari (0-0)
Scorers: Osimhen 69, Pavoletti 72, Kvaratskhelia 75.
NAPOLI: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus, Natan (Mario Rui 59), Anguissa, Lobotka, Cajuste (Raspadori 59), Politano (Zanoli 90), Kvaratskhelia (Lindstrom 90), Osimhen (Gaetano 82).
Coach: Mazzarri.
CAGLIARI: Scuffet; Nandez (Zappa 68), Goldaniga (79' Lapadula), Dossena, Augello, Jankto (Deiola 46), Prati, Makoumbou, Oristanio (Luvumbo 67) Petagna (Obert 46), Pavoletti.
Coach: Ranieri.
Referee: Marcenaro (Genoa).
Booked: Osimhen, Goldaniga, Rrahmani, Pavoletti, Augello, Anguissa.
