Resurgent Napoli climb into sixth

(GSM) – A resurgent Napoli side continued their impressive run of results as they ended the year in sixth place thanks to a comfortable 2-0 victory over in-form Chievo at Stadio San Paolo.

The Partenopei got off to the perfect start when Marek Hamsik fired them into an early lead from the spot after German Denis had been fouled by Chievo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino.

And Fabio Quagliarella secured all the points three minutes from time.

The result fires Napoli into the European spots, with Genoa’s match against Bari and Fiorentina’s game against AC Milan two of the fixtures postponed because of the weather.

It is a remarkable position for Napoli to find themselves in and one they would have scarcely dreamed about under Roberto Donadoni, but they have not lost a game since Walter Mazzarri took over the reins. Chievo slipped to ninth in the standings.

The Flying Donkeys were also in stunning form heading into the game and were looking for their fourth victory on the trot.

Elvis Abbruscato came close to putting them in front inside two minutes but his close-range header was too weak and Napoli goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis blocked it easily.

Napoli are yet to lose at the Stadio San Paolo this season and they always looked set to preserve that record after they took a sixth-minute lead when Sorrentino fouled Denis in the area and Hamsik stepped up to place his penalty into the bottom right corner.

Chievo came close to levelling shortly afterwards but De Sanctis first pulled off a great save to keep out Abbruscato’s header and then did well again to save Michele Marcolini’s free kick

De Sanctis was on hand yet again in the 24th minute when he kept out another Abbruscato header following a great cross from Sequeira Luciano

Abbruscato was in impressive form and came close again to giving his side the lead shortly before the half-hour mark but the on-loan Torino striker shot narrowly wide from just outside the area.

Napoli had hardly had a sight of goal in the first half but improved after the break.

Hamsik should have doubled his tally seven minutes after the restart when he controlled well on the edge of the Chievo box but his shot was too weak and Sorrentino saved it comfortably.

Walter Gargano tried his luck minutes later from distance but his spectacular 35-yard effort flew over the bar.

Hamsik had another brilliant opportunity in the 75th minute after he escaped his marker to find himself one on one with Sorrentino, but he blazed over the bar.

It was a nervy finale for the Napoli fans but Quagliarella made sure of the three points three minutes from time when he finished off a good counterattack started by Mariano Bogliacino, with a low shot in off the right post.

Chievo almost grabbed a late consolation but De Sanctis managed to keep out Simone Bentivoglio’s close-range shot with his outstretched boot.