SSC Napoli's forward Gonzalo Higuain celebrates with his teammate Jose Maria Callejon after scoring during the Italian Serie A football match between SSC Napoli and Inter Milan on December 15, 2013 © Getty Images

Gonzalo Higuain fired the hosts into an early lead with a well-executed volley, before Lorenzo Insigne rattled the post in the 25th minute.

The Nerazzurri levelled through Esteban Cambiasso, who arrived at the back post to nod home Ricky Alvarez's cross, but Dries Mertens quickly restored the Partenopei's lead with a curled effort from the edge of the box.

Blerim Dzemaili put Rafael Benitez's team 3-1 ahead five minutes before the break, but a goal from Yuto Nagatomo capped an exhilarating 45 minutes that ended with the visitors trailing by one at half time.

Blerim Dzemaili of Napoli scores his team's third goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli vs FC Internazionale Milano at Stadio San Paolo on December 15, 2013 © Getty Images

Stand-in goalkeeper Rafael Cabral produced a stunning stop to deny Fredy Guarin a 66th-minute equaliser.

Walter Mazzarri saw his team reduced to 10 men when Ricky Alvarez picked up a second yellow card for deliberate handball - a decision that seemed harsh on the Argentine international.

The points were wrapped up with nine minutes remaining when Insigne burst into the box and found Jose Maria Callejon to tap in at the back post.

Goran Pandev won a penalty late on when fouled by Andrea Ranaocchia, but Samir Handanovic made the save.