Maurizio Sazzi’s men produced a dominant first-half
performance to comfortably beat the Pro League runners-up as Dries
Mertens and Jose Callejon both netted twice
Napoli managed
to relieve some of the pressure put upon new coach Maurizio Sarri,
after racking up a comfortable 5-0 Europa League group win over Club Brugge at Stadio San Paolo.
Goals from Jose Callejon, Dries Mertens and Marek Hamsik wrapped up the Partenopei's first three points in Group D, as the hosts looked to forget their Serie A stutters.
The former Real Madrid winger was able to open the scoring after merely five minutes, taking a leaf out of Thomas Muller's book to lift a cheeky chip over Sinan Bolat from the right-hand side.
Just before the 20-minute mark, Belgium international Dries Mertens struck. After great work from the first goalscorer down the right, the Spaniard whipped in a low cross that the ex-PSV man gratefully cushioned home from close range.
Six minutes later, Mertens had two. After a long ball was looped into the opposition penalty area by Jorginho, the Belgian wide man did brilliantly to guide a first-time volley across goal and into the bottom-left corner, giving the hosts a solid advantage at the break.
Club Brugge were unable to create too much throughout the contest, with Victor Vazquez and Abdoulay Diaby going closest with speculative efforts from range.
Fortune was to smile on the Partenopei in the second half, as Marek Hamsik made it 4-0 on 53 minutes. After a teasing cross from Mertens, which ricocheted between Oscar Duarte and Bolat, the Napoli captain was on hand to stroke a simple finish into an unguarded net.
Callejon grabbed his second of the night with 77 minutes on the clock, timing his run to perfection to get in behind the visitors' back four and slot a neat finish underneath the hapless goalkeeper.
Leandro Pereira did have the ball in the back of the net late on for the visitors, but was only to be denied by the offside flag. The Brazilian bounced a looping effort home, after a spill from Jose Reina, but it was promptly ruled out.
Goals from Jose Callejon, Dries Mertens and Marek Hamsik wrapped up the Partenopei's first three points in Group D, as the hosts looked to forget their Serie A stutters.
The former Real Madrid winger was able to open the scoring after merely five minutes, taking a leaf out of Thomas Muller's book to lift a cheeky chip over Sinan Bolat from the right-hand side.
Just before the 20-minute mark, Belgium international Dries Mertens struck. After great work from the first goalscorer down the right, the Spaniard whipped in a low cross that the ex-PSV man gratefully cushioned home from close range.
Six minutes later, Mertens had two. After a long ball was looped into the opposition penalty area by Jorginho, the Belgian wide man did brilliantly to guide a first-time volley across goal and into the bottom-left corner, giving the hosts a solid advantage at the break.
Club Brugge were unable to create too much throughout the contest, with Victor Vazquez and Abdoulay Diaby going closest with speculative efforts from range.
Fortune was to smile on the Partenopei in the second half, as Marek Hamsik made it 4-0 on 53 minutes. After a teasing cross from Mertens, which ricocheted between Oscar Duarte and Bolat, the Napoli captain was on hand to stroke a simple finish into an unguarded net.
Callejon grabbed his second of the night with 77 minutes on the clock, timing his run to perfection to get in behind the visitors' back four and slot a neat finish underneath the hapless goalkeeper.
Leandro Pereira did have the ball in the back of the net late on for the visitors, but was only to be denied by the offside flag. The Brazilian bounced a looping effort home, after a spill from Jose Reina, but it was promptly ruled out.
Sarri men's will top Group D for now, due to their superior goal
difference, while Club Brugge root themselves to the bottom of the table
after a terrible performance on their travels.
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