A fantastic hat-trick by Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani for Napoli as they thrashed Sampdoria 4-0 to consolidate second place in Serie A.

Napoli who went through the mire midweek after the Coppa Italia on penalties to Inter Milan, were only missing Gianluca Grava and Luigi Vitale due to long term injuries.

Sampdoria on the other hand lost their main front man Giampaolo Pazzini to Inter Milan. Franco Semioli has been ruled out for the season and was joined by Stefano Lucchini, Daniele Gastaldello, Nicola Pozzi and Cacciatore in the treatment room.

Napoli grabbed the opening goal of the game on 16 minutes when Ezequiel Lavezzi ran through the middle and spread it to Cavani, who ghosted past Accardi and drilled home. Napoli nearly made it 2-0 moments later when Lavezzi chipped to Yebda who fired just over the bar.

But they did grab the second goal of the game on half-time. Accardi slightly mistimed his challenge on Cavani who then dusted himself down and stepped up to convert the spot kick.

Straight after the restart it got worse for Sampdoria as Napoli got their third of the game when Lavezzi got to the by-line and pulled it back for Hamsik, then his left footed angled drive went into the near bottom corner.

On the 56th minute it was 4-0 and a hat-trick for Edinson Cavani. Walter Gargano and Marek Hamsik combined to set up Cavani who’s low drive finished Sampdoria off.

There was some good news on the 63rd minute as Cavani was subbed off and replaced by Cristian Lucarelli, who made his comeback after missing the start of the season due to a knee injury.