Serie A wrap: Napoli hammer Pescara

Napoli have smashed Pescara 5-1 with Edinson Cavani and Gokhan Inler both scoring doubles to remain two points off the top of Serie A.

Inler scored two cracking goals from outside the box as Walter Mazzarri’s side tore through Pescara to record their third win in a row.

Napoli had 25 shots to six for Pescara throughout Sunday’s game with Inler starting the rout in the ninth minute when he cut inside onto his right foot and hit a swerving shot over Pescara goalkeeper Mattia Perin.

Just six minutes later, Marek Hamsik doubled the home side’s lead when he controlled a loose ball in the penalty area, juggled the ball past two defenders and then slotted home.

A fine glancing header in the 18th minute from Icelandic midfielder Birkir Bjarnason got Pescara back into the game at the Stadio San Paolo but Napoli reclaimed their two-goal cushion 13 minutes after half-time when Cavani scored from the spot.

Pescara defender Antonio Bocchetti was sent off when he tripped Cavani in the penalty area with the Uruguayan almost through on goal and the Napoli striker made no mistake from 11 metres.

In the 63rd minute, Cavani tapped home Hamsik’s low cross before Inler smashed a long-range strike in off the post a quarter of an hour later to complete the victory.

Napoli moved to 33 points, just two points behind Serie A-leaders Juventus.

Inter Milan continued to struggle in their clash with Palermo but a Santiago Garcia own goal gave Andrea Stramaccioni’s side their first victory in five games.

Despite having 53 percent possession and double the amount of shots as Palermo, Inter Milan needed the 74th-minute own goal to snap a two-match losing streak and maintain their third position on the table.

Roma came from behind to win 3-1 away to Siena and claim their third successive victory with Mattia Destro scoring a double for the visitors.

Alberto Paloschi scored a hat-trick for Chievo Verona as they won 4-2 away to Genoa, while Udinese smashed Cagliari 4-1 and Lazio triumphed 2-1 over Parma.

More to follow…