Napoli have fought back to beat Sparta Prague 3-1 in their Europa League Group H opener at the Stadio San Paolo this evening.
Walter Gargano and Miguel Britos both fired over in the first five minutes, as the hosts made a positive start.
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However, the visitors took the lead in the 14th minute when Josef Husbauer fired in from the edge of the box after Napoli had failed to clear a corner.
Midway through the first half Napoli were awarded a penalty after Nhamoinesu Costa handled Jose Callejon's effort, as the Spaniard followed up Marek Hamsik's shot that had come back off the bar.
Gonzalo Higuain, who had missed a penalty in his last match, stepped up and made no mistake with a confident finish into the bottom corner past David Bicik.
Just past the half-hour mark Napoli hit the woodwork for the second time as Callejon's powerful strike from a tight angle came crashing back off the bar.
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Six minutes after the break Napoli scored their second goal of the evening through Dries Mertens, who slotted home Higuain's low delivery from close range.
The hosts continued to press for another goal and Mertens had an effort ruled out for a handball, before Kalidou Koulibaly headed wide.
Callejon then worked an opportunity for himself as he found some space on the edge of the box before seeing a low shot saved by the keeper at his near post.
With nine minutes left to play, Mertens made sure of the points as he scored his side's third goal of the evening when he tricked his way past two defenders and fired a strike into the bottom corner.
Alex Meyers
