Neither Napoli nor Roma could break the deadlock in the first half of their Serie A encounter at the Stadio San Paolo in Naples this evening.

Both sides were guilty of a couple of wild efforts in the opening stages, with the first notable shot coming in the 22nd minute when Radja Nainggolan unleashed a strike from outside the box that the keeper had to save.

The hosts had a sight of goal of their own shortly afterwards when Gonzalo Higuain moved into an advanced position, but he dragged his effort well wide of the post.

The best chance of the half fell to the visitors in the 38th minute when Gervinho went for goal from close range, only to be denied by a fine save from Pepe Reina.

Gervinho was involved again five minutes later when he found space to shoot just outside the box, but his effort towards the top left corner was once again well stopped by Reina.

Napoli had great chance to break the deadlock right on the stroke of half time as the ball fell to Dries Mertens inside the six-yard box, but his effort was denied by a vital Morgan de Sanctis block.