Napoli starting XI (3-4-3): Milinkovic-Savic, Beukema (subbed for Lang), Rrahmani (subbed for Buongiorno), Juan Jesus, Di Lorenzo, Lobotka, McTominay, Spinazzola, Vergara (subbed for Mazzocchi), Hojlund, Elmas (subbed for Politano)

Bench: Contini, Ferrante, Gutierrez, Olivera, Lucca, Marianucci, Ambrosino

Goals: Lobotka 7’

Sassuolo starting XI (4-3-3): Muric, Walukiewicz, Idzes, Muharemovic, Doig (subbed for Coulibaly), Lipani (subbed for Moro), Matic, Vranckx (subbed for Iannoni), Fadera (subbed for Skjellerup), Pinamonti (subbed for Cheddira), Laurienté

Bench: Satalino, Turati, Zacchi, Paz, Romagna, Odenthal, Frangella, Pierini

The victory ended a run of three consecutive draws and was valuable in keeping Napoli close in the title race with Inter and Milan.

The hosts set the tone right from the start, with Napoli pressing high and moving the ball with purpose in search of an early goal.

Their patience was rewarded inside the first ten minutes when Ľobotka struck a sweet volley beyond the Sassuolo keeper in the 7th minute to put the reigning champions ahead.

After going behind, Sassuolo’s best opportunities came in quick transitions with attempts from Luca Lipani and Armand Laurienté forcing the Napoli back line to stay alert, but the equaliser never materialised.

The result keeps Napoli firmly in the mix in the Serie A title race, maintaining pressure on Inter Milan at the summit and also keeping AC Milan within striking distance.

Sassuolo remain in mid-table, frustrated by a narrow defeat but encouraged by their ability to be competitive against one of the league’s big guns.