Salernitana 0-2 Napoli: Victor Osimhen scores again as Luciano Spalletti's side move 12 points clear with win

Goals either side of half time ensured Napoli did not slip up at lowly Salernitana and extend their lead at the top of Serie A to 12 points.

They were far from at their best in the first half but three minutes into injury time Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa embarked on a driving run to the by-line, then produced a fine ball to Giovanni Di Lorenzo at the far side of the area and he crashed home an effort in off the post.

The margin was extended three minutes into the second half when Eljif Elmas' fine curling effort from the edge of the penalty area came back off the post and star striker Victor Osimhen was on hand to slot home the rebound.

The Serie A top scorer almost got a second heading Piotr Zielinski's ball down low to the goalkeeper's right but Guillermo Ochoa dived to push the ball away.

There was one nervous moment seven minutes from time when Krzysztof Piatek fired an effort at goal from the edge of the area but Alex Meret proved equal to it tipping the ball onto the post.

The victory sees Napoli now 12 points clear of Milan ahead of their visit to Lazio on Sunday. Salernitana remain in 16th spot.

The mark of champions - Napoli were not on their game at all in the first half. Even in the second things didn't come too easily. But within four minutes either side of half time they fashioned two chances and took full advantage, while at the other end their defence remained stout ensuring the lowly opposition did not get a sniff until an unlikely error from Giovanni Di Lorenzo gave Krzysztof Piatek the chance to score which gave Alex Meret a chance to show he is a keeper worthy of a championship medal. Now 12 points clear at the top of Serie A, they are not giving the chasing Milan clubs any reason to feel they can close the gap. Rather than in single figures, it seems more likely Napoli's lead will be nearer 20 points by Easter.

Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli) - It really was a captain's goal just before half time, settling his side's nerves after their disjointed first-half performance. It was indicative of his performance driving his side forwards and ensuring they retained their high standards after the big win against Juventus last week despite this match being off Broadway.

Salernitana: Ochoa 7; Gyomber 6, Daniliuc 6, Pirola 6; Candreva 7, Coulibaly 6, Caviglia 6, Bradaric 5; Vilhena 6; Piatek 7, Dia 5.

Subs: Lovato 6, Valencia 6, Bonazzoli 6, Sambia 6.

Napoli: Meret 7; Di Lorenzo 8*, Rrahmani 7, Jae 6, Rui 7; Anguissa 7, Lobotka 6, Zielinski 7; Lozano 6, Osimhen 7, Elmas 7.

Subs: Ndombele 5, Politano 6, Simeone 6.

35' GOAL FOR NAPOLI - OFFSIDE! Osimhen was just offside. It was a great ball from Zielinski looping over the defence and the Napoli number nine smashed the ball in off the near post.

45' GOAL FOR NAPOLI! Di Lorenzo scores after a fine run and cross from Anguissa who exchanged passes with Rui before finding his team-mate with a low ball at the far side of the box and the full back smashed in off the near post.

48' GOAL FOR NAPOLI! Osimhen is on the spot to turn home on the rebound after Elmas hits a fine curling low drive which comes back off the post.

60' GREAT STOP FROM OCHOA! Zielinski crossed in from the left by-line and Osimhen leapt highest heading towards the keeper's bottom right corner but Ochoa got down qulickly to push away.

83' GREAT STOP FROM MERET! A poor ball from Di Lorenzo drilled into Lobotka's feet gave Piatek the chance to drill a shot at goal from the edge of the box but Meret dived to his left and tipped onto the post.