Napoli maintain perfect start as Hamsik nears Maradona’s tally

Midfielder just one strike away from legendary Argentine’s tally after scoring in 3-0 win over Cagliari

MILAN: Marek Hamsik moved closer to Diego Maradona's scoring record as Napoli stayed top of Serie A with a 3-0 win over Cagliari on Sunday as Inter Milan pulled ahead of Juventus with a 2-1 win at Benevento.

Skipper Hamsik opened the scoring for Napoli after just four minutes at the Stadio San Paolo with his first goal of the season and 114th for the club, just one short of Maradona's all-time record.

Dries Mertens contributed to the opener and then added a second from the spot on 40 minutes before Kalidou Koulibaly sealed the perfect seventh victory two minutes after the break.

"Scoring is always great, I'm near Maradona's record, now we know it will come, but what matters is the team's performance. Seven wins from seven means a lot, and today we enjoyed the fans. October will be decisive," said Slovakia international Hamsik.

Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri conceded he was relieved after coming through the early afternoon match in a week when they earned their first Champions League points with a 3-1 win over Feyenoord.

But he dismissed premature talk of challenging for the title.

"Its been six years that I've heard talk that we can bother Juventus but in the end they're the ones who win," said Sarri. "That means they are a level above everyone else."

For Cagliari it was a fifth loss in seven games as they stay 14th with just six points.

Marcelo Brozovic scored a quick-fire first half brace as Inter moved provisionally second on 19 points after a tight win at tailenders Benevento.

Brozovic headed home an Antonio Candreva cross after 19 minutes with his second, a free kick, coming three minutes later.

Marco D'Alessandro got one back just before the break and missed a chance for an equaliser.

Lazio confirmed their push for Champions League football with a 6-1 hammering of Sassuolo to sit fourth.

Ciro Immobile scored his ninth goal of the campaign from the spot with Luis Alberto and Marco Parolo both hitting braces either side of a Stefan de Vrij header.