Napoli clinch hard-fought win at Sampdoria

Napoli have secured a third consecutive Serie A victory after recovering from letting a two-goal lead slip to win 4-2 at Sampdoria.

The Neapolitans went two up from an early Arkadiusz Milik header and a 16th-minute flick by Eljif Elmas.

Ex-Napoli strikers Fabio Quagliarella and Manolo Gabbiadini (penalty) struck for Samp with the former drilling home a marvellous volley on 26 minutes while the latter netted from the penalty spot in the 73rd.

Home captain Quagliarella earned the spot kick when he was fouled by Napoli defender Kostas Manolas.

However, the visitors restored their lead when new signing Diego Demme came on to tap in after a scramble in the box with seven minutes left and Dries Mertens, also a substitute, struck from the distance in stoppage time.

Napoli moved to 10th place, level on 30 points with Verona and Bologna, and just two off the second Europa League spot held by AC Milan.

Samp are fifth from bottom, four points clear of the three-team drop zone.