Napoli 4 - 2 Lecce - Napoli nail Lecce

Posted Saturday, December 03, 2011 by PA

Napoli warmed up for their vital Champions League tie with Villarreal by brushing past basement boys Lecce 4-2.

Knowing that a win over the Spaniards will see them through to the knockout stages of the tournament, Walter Mazzarri's men ensured they will head into that clash full of confidence thanks to this four-goal show at Stadio San Paolo.

They may have some concerns over their defence, though, with Luis Muriel and Daniele Corvia scoring for Lecce, although those goals were only consolations at 3-1 and 4-2.

By those points, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Edison Cavani (two) and Blerim Dzemaili had put the game out of sight for the home side.

It could have been such a different story, however, had Christian Pasquato taken the seventh minute chance that came his way for Lecce.

His side continued to impress after that but, from the moment Lavezzi screwed an 18th minute drive just wide, it was all Napoli.

Cavani took aim with a ferocious hit that just flashed wide and, with 26 minutes gone, Andrea Dossena found Lavezzi who did the rest from just inside the area.

Carlos Grossmuller had the chance to level shortly after but could not beat Morgan De Sanctis and, 12 minutes before the break, his side were further behind.

Dzemaili had only just been denied by Massimiliano Benassi when the goal came, with Goran Pandev squaring for the lethal hitman.

Two became three four minutes before the break, when Dzemaili found his range from the edge of the area.

Lavezzi nearly made it four shortly after the restart, before Muriel took in Djamel Mesbah's pass and made it 3-1.

Things could have been different for Lecce had Muriel's header just after the hour found the target, while Cavani and Lavezzi were profligate at the other end.

But Cavani found his touch for a second time with eight minutes remaining, taking in a cross from Lavezzi to score.

Corvia did get his head to an Andrea Bertolacci corner in injury time, but it was too late to make any difference.