Higuain haunts Napoli to send Juventus five points clear

Gonzalo Higuain scored against his former side to help Juventus beat Napoli 2-1 and move five points clear at the top of Serie A.

Higuain moved to the champions over the summer and he had scored six times before this evening - but was coming into the match off the back of a three-game scoring drought in the league.

if there were any nerves he didn't show them, as he expertly drilled the ball into the low corner when it was loose in the box.

It came after Jose Callejon had scored with a lovely finish off the back of a great pass from Lorenzo Insigne after Leonardo Bonucci had given Juventus the lead with a power finish following a mistake from Faouzi Ghoulam.

The result moves Juventus five points clear at the top of the table as well as seven points ahead of Napoli.

Big players turn up in big matches and that is exactly what Higuain did today for Juventus. The champions were disappointing last weekend against Milan and although they responded well in the week against Sampdoria this was their real test. Juventus have faced Fiorentina, Lazio and both Milan sides so far this season, but Napoli were the team who pushed them closest last season and would be their fiercest rivals this. Without Higuain, or his replacement Arkadiusz Milik, Napoli struggled to create too many openings. By contrast Higuain showed exactly why Juventus paid all that money for him as he kept his cool in the box when it mattered most. Juventus spent big on Higuain to help take them to the pinnacle of Europe, this is a good sign.

Juan Cuadrado (Juventus) - The game was pretty even when Cuadrado was brought on to replace Georgio Chiellini, who suffered another muscular injury, but his introduction brought about a change in system as Juventus moved from three to four at the back. This allowed Cuadrado to push forward without having to worry about his defensive responsibilities and he caused all sorts of problems for Ghoulam, running him rugged all evening. Ghoulam was at fault for both goals and whilst Cuadrado wasn't directly involved he certainly affected the Napoli defender. His commitment and tenacity was shown in the final minute as he battled with Emanuele Giaccherini on the byline, fall to the floor, and still find the skill to flick the ball past his opponent and go on a run.

Juventus - Buffon 6, Barzagli 6, Bonucci 7, Chiellini 6, Lichtsteiner 5, Khedira 6, Hernanes 5, Pjanic 5, Alex Sandro 7, Mandzukic 5, Higuain 7. Subs: Cuadrado 8, Marchisio 7, Sturaro 5

Napoli - Reina 6, Hysaj 6, Chiriches 6, Koulibaly 7, Ghoulam 4, Allan 5, Diawara 6, Hamsik 5, Callejon 7, Mertens 6, Insigne 6. Subs: Giaccherini 5, El Kaddouri 5, Zielinski 5

18' - GREAT CHANCE! Sandro floats a lovely ball in after he cut inside onto his right foot and Khedira had burst forward into the box from midfield. He had strayed offside but he'll feel that he should have tested Reina more from that distance.

39' - Substitution: Well, this is interesting. Rather than bringing on Medhi Benatia or Daniele Rugani Juventus have thrown on Juan Cuadrado. We will wait to see if this is a four at the back system now or if we see Lichtsteiner move to centre-back.

50' - JUVENTUS 1-0 (BONUCCI) That's an absolutely sensational finish from the defender. A corner is cleared but as the ball bounced on the edge of the area Ghoulam looks to clear but all he does is slice the ball in the air into the six yard box. Bonucci doesn't let the ball drop and rifles it into the net. Game on!

54' - GOAL! JUVENTUS 1-1 NAPOLI (CALLEJON) That's a terrific goal. Insigne cuts inside onto his right and floats the ball to the back post. Callejon ghosts in, played onside by Lichtsteiner, and he calmly hits the ball first time on the volley to slot it past Buffon. What a response!

70' - GOAL! JUVENTUS 2-1 (HIGUAIN) IT JUST HAD TO BE HIM DIDN'T IT! Higuain ends his goal drought as he pounces on a loose ball in the box to send it low into the bottom corner, giving Reina no chance. It's an absolutely terrific finish and he doesn't celebrate.

87' - CHANCES! El Kaddouri has a good effort from the free-kick but it is deflected over however then Napoli threaten again from the resulting corner. Callejon's delivery is good and it causes panic in the Juventus box. They eventually clear but that was mighty close.

Juventus have won their last six home games in a row against Napoli, scoring 14 goals and conceding just two.

The Old Lady have also now won 22 games at home in a row in Serie A.

Gonzalo Higuain has now scored the same amount of goals against Napoli (1) that he managed for them against Juventus.

Jose Callejon has now scored seven goals this season in Serie A, the same he managed in the whole of last season.