Serie A wrap: Napoli go outright third, Roma held by Chievo

Napoli defeated Palermo 2-0 in Tuesday’s Serie A action, while Chievo and Roma played out a goalless draw.

At the Stadio San Paolo, Walter Mazzarri’s Napoli side recorded a crucial three points in their bid to finish third, and earn a Champions League qualifying berth, thanks to first-half goals from Edinson Cavani and Marek Hamsik.

Cavani opened the scoring with a 16th-minute penalty, his 33rd goal for the club in all competitions this season.

And Hamsik’s 35th-minute effort gave the Naples outfit an advantage they did not surrender.

Finishing third in the Serie A would see Napoli enter the playoff stages of the UEFA Champions League next season, and the win saw them move three points clear of Udinese, Inter Milan and Lazio, who are all involved in the battle for a top-three finish.

The day’s other match was a dour affair, as two out-of-form sides settled for a point each at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi.

Chievo, 12th on the table, are now without a win in five league matches, while seventh-placed Roma are winless in four.