Napoli go second with Cagliari scalp

SSC Napoli moved up to second in Serie A with a 1-0 victory against Cagliari Calcio displacing FC Internazionale Milano, who lost by the same scoreline at Parma FC.

In a tightly-contested first half, Napoli came closest to breaking the deadlock when Lorenzo Insigne struck the inside of a post with a delightful free-kick. Deputising for the suspended Édinson Cavani, the diminutive forward perhaps should have done better moments later, as Valon Behrami's enticing centre squirmed through his legs.

The hosts wrestled back the initiative after the restart and Morgan De Sanctis had to be at his best to deny Radja Nainggolan, before Daniele Conti's cross grazed the crossbar. The introduction of Eduardo Vargas turned the tide back in Napoli's favour, however, and he eluded the home defence on 72 minutes, to set up Marek Hamšík to slot in.

In the late kick-off, Inter suffered their second defeat in three league outings. The visitors started the game as if they intended to attack but soon found themselves pressed back into their own half, with Jonathan Biabiany and Amauri both drawing excellent saves from Samir Handanovič. Parma continued to probe after the break and were rewarded 15 minutes from time when Nicola Sansone concluded a masterful run with a clinical finish.