Leaders Napoli down Serie A title rivals AC Milan

Antonio Conte's Napoli have passed a big test of their Serie A leadership with a 2-0 win at AC Milan.

Romelu Lukaku and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored first-half goals on Tuesday night and Napoli opened up a seven-point lead over defending champions Inter Milan, who visit Empoli on Wednesday.

Belgian striker Lukaku muscled a defender to the ground before scoring from the centre of the area early on. Then Kvaratskhelia dribbled past two defenders before launching an angled shot into the far corner before the break.

Milan's Spanish forward Alvaro Morata had a potential goal waved off for offside early in the second half.

Rafael Leao threatened for the home side in the closing stages when his superb long-range shot was acrobatically kept out by Alex Meret.

Milan slipped to eight after their third league defeat of the season, 11 points back.

Napoli (25 points) return to the San Siro in less than two weeks to face Inter. The Partenopei have rebounded strongly after a 10th-place finish last season and are in position to earn their second title in three years.

Former Italy, Juventus, Chelsea, Inter and Tottenham boss Conte was hired in June after Napoli went through three different coaches last campaign.

Napoli haven't lost since falling 3-0 at Hellas Verona in their season debut on August 18.

Elsewhere, Bologna won 2-0 at Cagliari with goals from Riccardo Orsolini and Jens Odgaard and Lecce beat nine-man Hellas Verona 1-0 with a goal from Patrick Dorgu to get off the foot of the table.

With PA.