Napoli hold on against Inter after Gonzalo Higuain double

Napoli held on to the top spot in Serie A as they beat Inter 2-1 thanks to a Gonzalo Higuain brace.

The hosts had to work hard for it, though, as Adem Ljajic grabbed a goal back in the 67th minute and the visitors suddenly seemed to be inspired.

They came very close to grabbing an equaliser in the fourth minute of added time, when substitute Stevan Jovetic and Miranda both hit the post - the latter thanks to some deft goalkeeping from Pepe Reina.

Inter had to play the second half with ten men after Yuto Nagatomo was sent off in the 44th minute for a second poor challenge.

2' - GOAL! Napoli 1-0 Inter. Well, that didn't take long. Higuain opens the scoring with a belter of a finish, hitting in beautifully on the turn.

44' - RED CARD! Well, that wasn't smart. Nagatomo gets sent off for a sliding challenge on the touchline on Allan.

62' - GOAL! Napoli 2-0 Inter. And a great finish from Higuain again! He's so strong, holding off two men, and then lashing home after a clever nod through from Albiol.

67' - GOAL! Napoli 2-1 Inter. Well, well, well. Napoli fail to clear, and Ljajic hits it first time with such power that it's straight past Reina.

89' - CHANCE! Handanovic's fingertips stop Higuain from getting his hat-trick, hit left-footed from the left side of the box.

90'+4 - WOODWORK! Jovetic's hit the woodwork! And then Miranda against the other post, thanks to Reina's hands!

Inter have not beaten Napoli, home or away in all competition, since a 2-1 win at the San Siro in December 2012.

Napoli are leading the Serie A table this far into the season for the first time since 1989/90, the last season they won the title.

Higuain has now scored in eight successive Serie A matches.

Can Napoli really win the title? There was some marvellous football on show - albeit with some nerves once Inter got that goal back.

Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli): That early goal changed the face of the game - the instinctive response of a goalscorer, and two great finishes.

Napoli: Reina 8, Hysaj 7, Albiol 7, Koulibaly 7, Ghoulam 7, Allan 7, Jorginho 7, Hamsik 7, Callejon 7, Higuain 8, Insigne 7. Subs: Maggio 6, David Lopez 6, El Kaddouri 7.

Inter: Handanovic 7, D'Ambrosio 7, Miranda 7, Murillo 7, Nagatomo 5, Guarin 7, Medel 6, Brozovic 8, Perisic 7, Icardi 7, Ljajic 7. Subs: Telles 6, Jovetic 7, Biabiany 7.