Serie A | Napoli 4-0 Cremonese – Rejuvenated Partenopei put Giampaolo’s side in trouble

Napoli strolled to a comfortable 4-0 victory over Cremonese on Friday evening, as Antonio Conte’s side delay Inter’s title celebrations by at least another week and further boost their own chances of Champions League qualification.

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Goals from Scott McTominay, Rasmus Hojlund, Kevin De Bruyne and Alisson Santos secured the win, speaking volumes of the team’s excellent recruitment over the past two years.

Napoli started strongly and it took them just three minutes to open the scoring, when Kevin De Bruyne played a slick pass through to McTominay on the edge of the box, who struck it hard and low into the far corner, past Emil Audero.

Despite another five minutes of pressure after the goal, the hosts took their foot off the gas slightly, before a quick double prior to the half-time whistle gave Conte’s side a comfortable lead heading into half-time.

Napoli 4-0 Cremonese – Alisson completes rout as McTominay has late penalty saved

Napoli picked up where they left off, not giving Cremonese any chance of a breather.

Alisson looked positive at the start of the half and his momentum was rewarded when he struck home with a lovely strike from outside the box.

Cremonese tried to fight their way back into the game but Napoli did not make it easy for them, Conte deploying a wealth of substitutions before the hour mark – leaving only one for the last 30 minutes.

With 10 minutes left to play, Napoli won a penalty after a handball in the box but McTominay’s penalty was poor and Audero saved it well.

The result sees Cremonese face the possibility of slipping into the bottom three if Lecce can beat Verona this weekend, as Napoli move up into 2nd, nine points off Inter but 11 clear of Como.

Napoli 4-0 Cremonese