The Albany Gazette - Lobotka eases pressure on Allegri with Napoli winner

The Slovakian playmaker's cushioned volley midway through the second half sealed a deserved win for the hosts in Naples.

It was badly needed after Napoli picked up just three points from their first three league games -- the club's worst start in 11 years -- before a midweek Champions League defeat to Arsenal.

Napoli moved up to ninth place on six points, while Bologna's wait for a first win of the season goes on as they remained in 16th with one point from four games.

The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona was forced into stunned silence inside seven minutes when Arthur Theate looked to have headed the visitors in front, but the strike was ruled out for offside.

Kevin De Bruyne could only fire over from a promising position and Rasmus Hojlund came close with a glancing header as the hosts searched for an opening in response.

The breakthrough came in the 66th minute when half-time replacement Costantino Favasuli whipped a low cross into the box that was expertly guided home by Lobotka.

Hojlund was then denied by 18-year-old goalkeeper Massimo Pessina as Napoli pushed for a second.

Bologna coach Domenico Tedesco could only watch on from the stands due to suspension as his side threatened an equaliser late on through Samuel Mbangula, but they failed to score for the third time this season.

Earlier, Lecce beat winless Monza 3-2 for their second victory of the season to move into 11th place.

(B.Smith--TAG)