Edinson Cavani scored a hat-trick as Napoli swept
aside AC Milan 3-1 at the San Paolo stadium to maintain
their perfect record in Serie A.
Alberto Aquilani put the visitors ahead in the 11th
minute before Cavani equalised shortly after.
Cavani struck his second in the 36th minute and the
Uruguay forward completed his hat-trick six minutes
after half-time as his team secured the win.
Ezequiel Lavezzi recovered from a muscular injury and
played from the start alongside Cavani and Marek Hamsik
in Napoli's attack.
Milan, who were without several players including injured
striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, could not have asked for
a better start.
The defending champions took an early lead when Aquilani
got his head on Antonio Cassano's cross and beat Napoli
goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis.
Milan's joy was shortlived as Napoli equalised two
minutes later.
Christian Maggio headed a free-kick straight into the
path of Cavani, who slotted the ball past AC Milan goalkeeper
Christian Abbiati.
In the 25th minute, Gokhan Inler's 30-yard free-kick
was off target.
Napoli pressed forward and were rewarded in the 36th
minute.
Walter Gargano was allowed to run half the length of
the field and into the box before serving Cavani inside
the area and his diagonal right-footed strike beat Abbiati.
Milan twice had the opportunity to pull level before
the break.
Cassano fed Aquilani inside the area and his 10-yard
effort towards the far post was met by an excellent
save from De Sanctis.
Shortly after, Aquilani's right-footed strike from
outside the area went inches wide of the far post.
Napoli made it 3-1 early in the second half.
Milan's defence failed to clear the ball inside the
area leaving Cavani to fire past Abbiati.
On the hour mark, Alexandre Pato's bullet strike from
30 yards was saved by De Sanctis.
Milan continued to press forward and could have reduced
the deficit in the 70th minute, Pato's powerful header
from Cassano's cross going over the bar.
Cavani almost scored his fourth of the night with five
minutes remaining but his right-footed strike was kept
out by Abbiati.
Napoli's convincing win will fill them with confidence
as they look to challenge for honours in Italy and Europe
this season.
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