Napoli earned a vital win in the Champions League qualification race as second-placed Roma lost further ground on Serie A leaders Juventus.
The match looked destined to be a goalless draw until Spanish forward Jose Callejon headed in a late winner.
Roma had carried the greater attacking threat in the first half, with Gervinho spurning two glorious chances.
But third-placed Napoli grew into the game after the break and Callejon's goal put them three points behind Roma.
Only the top two sides in Serie A automatically qualify for the following season's Champions League, with the third-placed team facing a two-legged qualifying tie to reach the group stage.
And it appears to be a two-way battle between Rafael Benitez's side and Roma for second place behind runaway leaders Juventus.
The visitors needed a win to keep their slim hopes of overhauling Juve alive and only Napoli keeper Pepe Reina's double save from ex-Arsenal forward Gervinho stopped the Giallorossi from going ahead before half-time.
The on-loan Liverpool keeper also blocked Roma right-back Maicon's deflected shot with a smart reaction save after the break.
But Rudi Garcia's men are now 14 points adrift of Juve after Callejon's far-post header, from Faouzi Ghoulam's left-wing cross, condemned them to only a second league defeat of the season.
LINEUP, BOOKINGS (3) & SUBSTITUTIONS (6)
Napoli
- 25 Reina
- 11 Maggio
- 31 Ghoulam
- 88 Inler
- 21 Fernández
- 33 Albiol
- 07 Callejón Booked (Pandev - 85' )
- 20 Dzemaili (Adriano Buss - 61' )
- 09 Higuaín
- 17 Hamsik (Insigne - 73' )
- 14 Mertens
Substitutes
- 02 Réveillere
- 04 Adriano Buss
- 05 Britos
- 13 Bariti
- 15 Colombo
- 19 Pandev
- 22 Radosevic
- 24 Insigne
- 80 Doblas Santana
- 91 Zapata
Roma
- 26 De Sanctis
- 13 Maicon Booked
- 46 Romagnoli (Destro - 85' )
- 06 Strootman (Taddei - 13' Booked )
- 17 Benatia
- 05 Leandro
- 15 Pjanic
- 44 Nainggolan
- 27 Gervinho
- 24 Florenzi (Ljajic - 75' )
- 20 Bastos
Substitutes
- 01 Lobont
- 02 Toloi
- 03 Dodô
- 08 Ljajic
- 11 Taddei
- 22 Destro
- 28 Skorupski
- 35 Torosidis
- 94 Ricci
- 95 Mazzitelli
Ref: Gianluca Rocchi
Live Text Commentary
Full time
Full TimeMatch ends, Napoli 1, Roma 0.
90:00+3:59Full time
Full TimeSecond Half ends, Napoli 1, Roma 0.
90:00+0:13
Attempt missed. Maicon (Roma) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
88:36
Offside, Roma. Adem Ljajic tries a through ball, but Mattia Destro is caught offside.
87:26
Attempt missed. Rodrigo Taddei (Roma) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Adem Ljajic.
84:20Substitution
SubstitutionSubstitution, Napoli. Goran Pandev replaces José Callejón.
84:04Substitution
SubstitutionSubstitution, Roma. Mattia Destro replaces Alessio Romagnoli.
83:10Booking
BookingRodrigo Taddei (Roma) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
83:08
Foul by Rodrigo Taddei (Roma).
83:08
Dries Mertens (Napoli) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
80:50Goal scored
Goal!Goal! Napoli 1, Roma 0. José Callejón (Napoli) header from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Faouzi Ghoulam with a cross.
76:28
Foul by Alessio Romagnoli (Roma).
76:28
Henrique (Napoli) wins a free kick on the right wing.
75:27
Miralem Pjanic (Roma) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
75:27
Foul by Gökhan Inler (Napoli).
74:56
Attempt missed. Henrique (Napoli) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Gökhan Inler.
74:42Substitution
SubstitutionSubstitution, Roma. Adem Ljajic replaces Alessandro Florenzi.
74:02
Attempt missed. Alessandro Florenzi (Roma) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Maicon with a cross.
73:14
Michel Bastos (Roma) wins a free kick on the left wing.
73:14
Foul by Christian Maggio (Napoli).
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