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Apr 26, 2015 at 7.45pm UK at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona
Napoli
4-2
Sampdoria
Gabbiadini (31'), Higuain (34', 81' pen.), Insigne (47')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Albiol (12' og.), Muriel (89')

Result: Napoli hit back to beat Sampdoria

Napoli come from behind to boost their Champions League hopes with a 4-2 win over Sampdoria.

Napoli have boosted their bid for Champions League qualification by coming from behind to beat Sampdoria 4-2 at the Stadio San Paolo.

It was a bright start from Rafael Benitez's side, and they threatened in the early stages when Gonzalo Higuain tested Emiliano Viviano with a powerful strike.

Sampdoria's Cameroonian forward Samuel Eto'o (L) runs with the ball during the Italian Serie A football match between SSC Napoli and UC Sampdoria on April 26, 2015© Getty Images

However, the deadlock was broken by Sampdoria in the 12th minute thanks to a mistake from Raul Albiol, who could only put the ball into his own net while attempting to clear Eder's cross.

The visitors failed to protect their advantage, though, and Viviano was guilty of gifting an equaliser to Napoli by allowing Manolo Gabbiadini's deflected effort to roll through his legs.

Napoli quickly took control after getting back on level terms, and they were ahead before the break as Higuain collected a clever pass from Gabbiadini and slotted past a helpless Viviano.

Napoli's French-Argentinian forward Gonzalo Higuain (R) celebrates after scoring a goal during the Italian Serie A football match between SSC Napoli and UC Sampdoria on April 26, 2015© Getty Images

Lorenzo Insigne handed his side a two-goal advantage three minutes into the second half when he sprinted with the ball from midfield before curling home a stunning effort from the edge of the box.

The Sampdoria challenge remained strong after Napoli's third goal, but the hosts limited the chances on offer with an improved defensive display after the break.

It could have been a more emphatic win had David Lopez not fired straight at Viviano or if Higuain had found the bottom corner with a curling effort.

Higuain would be given the chance to wrap up the win from the penalty spot in the closing stages after Marek Hamsik was bundled over in the box by Lorenzo De Silvestri, and the Argentine made no mistake from 12 yards to score his second of the game.

Sampdoria finished strongly to reduce the deficit when Luis Muriel picked out the top corner from outside the box, but Napoli still managed to move within two points of third-placed Roma.

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Napoli's Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring during their Italian Super Cup football match against Juventus on December 22, 2014
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CInter Milan38287389355491
2AC Milan38247774413379
3Atalanta BCAtalanta38239690474378
4Juventus38239677383978
5Napoli38245986414577
6Lazio38215126155668
7Roma381881268581062
8SassuoloSassuolo381711106456862
9Sampdoria38157165254-252
10Hellas VeronaHellas Verona381112154648-245
11Genoa381012164758-1142
12Bologna381011175165-1441
13Fiorentina38913164759-1240
14Udinese381010184258-1640
15SpeziaSpezia38912175272-2039
16CagliariCagliari38910194359-1637
17Torino38716155069-1937
RBeneventoBenevento38712194075-3533
RCrotone3865274592-4723
RParma38311243983-4420

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