Gonzalo Higuain's second-half strike has helped Napoli close to within two points of a Champions League place with a 2-0 victory over Juventus.

The champions almost conceded in the early stages at the San Paolo when Marek Hamsik tested the gloves of Gianluigi Buffon.

Juve best chance of netting a goal in the opening minutes came after a through ball from Paulo Dybala found Simone Zaza racing in on goal, but the forward was thwarted by Pepe Reina.

However, it was Gli Azzurri who broke the deadlock midway through the first half as Lorenzo Insigne exchanged passes with Higuain before producing a well-placed finish, beyond the reach of Buffon.

Napoli suffered a setback, though, as Insigne pulled up before half time and the ex-Pescara man was forced off the pitch.

His replacement Dries Mertens almost added a second before the break as he tried to curl a shot into the corner, only to miss the target.

The hosts doubled their lead just after the hour mark as Higuain capitalised on a stray pass from Hernanes and beat Simone Padoin to the ball before the Argentine fired his shot across Buffon into the corner.

However, Juve quickly cut the deficit as Mario Lemina pulled a goal back within 60 seconds for the champions after he turned home Dybala's cross.

Alvaro Morata then nearly found an equaliser after coming off the bench, but his low drive flew inches wide of the post as Napoli held on for victory.