Gonzalo Higuaín dominated the pre-match discussion and it wasn’t because Juventus’ €90 million striker was returning to Naples or because the Argentinian struggles to shake his reputation of being overweight and incapable of scoring in big games. A broken hand looked to rule Higuaín out of the top of the table clash but instead the 29-year-old came back to haunt his former club, slotting in the only goal as the Bianconeri closed to within a point of their rivals.

Once a hero at the Stadio San Paolo, Higuaín was passed fit despite undergoing surgery on Monday and then fit his billing as the villain with the decisive goal.

Pepe Reina had already denied Higuaín from a tight angle when in the 13th minute, Paulo Dybala slid the centre forward through and under pressure Pipita slotted the ball inside the goalkeeper’s near post.

Napoli dominated almost from then on but could not find a way past the Juve defence so the Serie A champions held on for a vital three points.

Chasing a seventh straight title, Juventus are now only a point behind Napoli at the top but could see Inter jump into first with a win this weekend.