Napoli kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League by romping to a 3-0 win over Fiorentina at the Stadio San Paolo this afternoon.
Dries Mertens gave Napoli the lead midway through the first half with a curling finish from the edge of the box that found the bottom corner.
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They were then denied a second goal as Gonzalo Higuain's long-range effort smashed against the bar and crossed the line before rebounding to safety, but it was not spotted by the referee.
Manolo Gabbiadini threatened in the early minutes of the second half for the visitors, but he could only place his effort wide of the post.
Higuain then wasted a big chance to double Napoli's lead as he burst through on goal and rounded the keeper, but a poor first poor touch saw him take the ball too far wide to get a shot away.
The hosts did manage to score a second in the 71st minute when Marek Hamsik latched onto Jose Callejon's pass and poked the ball past the keeper at his near post.
Callejon wrapped up the points for Napoli with a minute left to play when he guided Lorenzo Insigne's cross into the net from close range.
That proved to be the final action of the match, as Napoli moved up to fourth and above Fiorentina in the Serie A table.
Alex Meyers
