Napoli held off a late Palermo comeback to notch their second win of the season on Wednesday night despite being outplayed for long periods at the Stadio San Paolo.
Fabrizio Miccoli stepped up to score from the penalty spot with seven minutes remaining to set up a tense finale to the game after a goal in each half from Marek Hamsik and Marcelo Zalayeta had put the hosts in charge.
Palermo came north keen to continue their good start to life under new coach Davide Ballardini, following two wins in his first two games against Roma and Genoa.
They faced a tough task against an unbeaten Napoli side who had shocked Fiorentina at the San Paolo a week and a half ago to record their first win of the campaign.
Still it was the Sicilians who started brightest, looking alert in defence and threatening in attack as Miccoli fired a free-kick wide of Napoli keeper Gennaro Iezzo's right-hand post with nine minutes played.
But before the visitors had a chance to stamp their authority on the game Napoli went ahead.
Hamsik and Christian Maggio were reinstated to the midfield after sitting out the 0-0 draw with Udinese at the weekend, and they combined to good effect after 14 minutes when the latter broke down the right wing before cutting inside and delivering a pinpoint cross to the on-rushing Hamsik who was left with a simple tap-in for his third goal in four games this season.
Palermo responded by putting the hosts under pressure and creating a number of chances before the break, but time and again they failed to hit the target.
Mark Bresciano was first to miss when he sent a shot from the edge of the area over the bar after 35 minutes, before Miccoli arrived unmarked in the box a minute later but could only head a Mattia Cassani cross wide.
Napoli coach Edoardo Reja signaled his intent at the start of the second half by bringing on defensive midfielder Michele Pazienza for striker German Denis.
The move failed to stop Palermo from creating a wealth of chances, however, as Miccoli was soon back to his wasteful ways when he created the space for himself to flick up a pass from Fabio Simplicio and volley it over the bar.
Iezzo as finally called into action after 68 minutes when he was needed to get an outstretched hand to a deflected Federico Balzaretti shot.
But again as Palermo were on top they were caught out at the back.
With 15 minutes to play Hamsik's shot from the edge of the area was saved by Marco Amelia in the Palermo goal, but his save fell to Zalayeta who put the hosts 2-0 ahead at the second time of asking, having hit the crossbar with his first attempt.
Palermo got the goal their superior possession and pressure deserved when Salvatore Aronica put his arm in the way of Miccoli's shot.
The former Juve man stepped up to take the resulting kick and set up a nervy conclusion, but Napoli hung on to move up to fourth place in the early league standings.
