Both sides were fired up for the Derby del Sole, as Roma were fresh from two consecutive victories against Inter and Cluj, while Napoli had fought back from 3-0 down to draw at Steaua Bucharest at the 98th minute.

Philippe Mexes continued his ban and was joined by Simone Perrotta, while Adriano, Julio Sergio and Rodrigo Taddei nursed injuries. The Partenopei only missed Cristiano Lucarelli, who is out until next year.

Curiously, the Giallorossi had one four of their last six trips to the San Paolo and were unbeaten here since 1997. Roma won here last term with a three-man defence and adopted it again with Cicinho and John Arne Riise pushed up.

Marek Hamsik floated a fine cross-field pass for Andrea Dossena to volley wide after five minutes. Ezequiel Lavezzi's solo run ended with a shot straight at the goalkeeper.

Marek Hamsik and Cicinho had efforts charged down in the area, but Riise wasted a great chance when he was left unmarked to chest down a Cicinho cross and ballooned over.

Hamsik chested down a cross from Lavezzi only to fire straight at Bogdan Lobont from point-blank range.

Roma had a wonderful scoring opportunity before the break. Francesco Totti took a free kick quickly and a combination of Borriello and Paolo Cannavaro deflected it from eight yards, forcing Morgan De Sanctis into a flying reaction save.

Roma were taking control in the second half, but it left space at the back for rapid counter-attacks and on one of these Cavani fired at Lobont's legs from close range.

Lobont did very well to block a Lavezzi low cross-shot on another dangerous counter, then Juan's desperate challenge charged down Cavani from point-blank range. Mirko Vucinic replaced native Neapolitan Borriello, but it was Napoli who broke the deadlock.

Dossena got away down the left and pulled a cross back to the penalty spot for an unmarked Hamsik to side-foot home. Lobont got his hip to the ball, but it wasn't enough to stop it rolling over the line.

Napoli doubled their lead thanks to a defensive error. Hugo Campagnaro's cross took a huge deflection off Juan from six yards to loop over a helpless Lobont at the near post.

Napoli: De Sanctis; Campagnaro (Sosa 92), Cannavaro, Aronica; Maggio, Pazienza, Gargano (Yebda 71), Dossena (Zuniga 80); Hamsik, Lavezzi; Cavani

Roma: Lobont; Cassetti, Juan, N Burdisso; Cicinho (Rosi 73), De Rossi, Pizarro, Riise; Menez (Brighi 46); Totti, Borriello (Vucinic 67)

Ref: Tagliavento

  Channel4