Edin Dzeko nets brace as Roma win at Napoli

A counter-attacking masterclass saw Roma earn a 3-1 victory against Napoli in their Serie A clash at Stadio San Paolo.

Napoli dominated the opening 45 minutes, testing Wojciech Szczesny on numerous occasions but could not break the deadlock before Edin Dzeko gave the visitors the lead just before the break.

Dzeko doubled Roma's lead shortly after the break before Kalidou Koulibaly headed home to give the hosts a lifeline with over half an hour of play remaining.

But Mohamed Salah sealed the win for Roma with five minutes left as he coolly slotted in off the post at the end of another superb counter-attack.

The end-to-end encounter got into full flow inside the first five minutes after a late challenge from Roma defender Kostas Manolas gave Lorenzo Insigne a chance with a free-kick, which the Italian hit just wide of the goal.

Napoli continued their pressure when Insigne crossed for Jose Callejon but the Spaniard failed to connect with the ball as the hosts dominated the opening proceedings.

Dzeko was played through by Radja Nainggolan and raced to the edge of the box before Koulibaly produced a magnificent last-ditch tackle to deny the Bosnian.

Luciano Rossi/AS Roma via Getty Images

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A driving run and effort from Allan saw his shot go wide under the pressure of Roma captain Daniele De Rossi before Callejon whipped in a driven cross but Manolo Gabbiadini could not reach what would have been a certain goal.

On 26 minutes, the ball broke free to Gabbiadini in the area but his shot was blocked by Federico Fazio, followed up by efforts from Insigne and Jorginho which were also denied by the solid visiting defence with the hosts scenting that a goal was coming soon.

Napoli captain Marek Hamsik thought he was the one who was going to do it but Szczesny got down brilliantly to turn the ball around the post for a corner.

Full-back Faouzi Ghoulam was the next one to try his luck from distance but the Poland international was equal to it once again as Napoli piled on the pressure.

But two minutes before the break, winger Salah caught Koulibaly in possession on the edge of the area and crossed for Dzeko to slot home from 12 yards out and give Lupi the half-time lead.

The action continued immediately after the break with Ghoulam spurning a good chance with a weak strike straight at Szczesny before Dzeko doubled his tally after getting on the end of a Alessandro Florenzi free-kick on 54 minutes.

Ciucciarelli halved the deficit through Koulibaly's powerful header four minutes later to give the hosts some hope going into the last 30 minutes.

Callejon had a great opening to level the match from close range but he saw his effort blocked by a Roma body as they frustrated their hosts.

Partenopei Gli Azzurri continued to push for an equaliser without creating many clear-cut opportunities before Salah's composed finish with five minutes left restored Roma's two-goal cushion and gave them all three points.

The result means Roma leapfrog Napoli into second in the Serie A table after back-to-back wins.