Napoli put back-to-back defeats behind them by returning to the top of Serie A after a 3-1 statement win against title rivals Inter Milan.

Kevin De Bruyne's penalty gave Napoli an interval lead before Scott McTominay's brilliant effort put them 2-0 up early in the second half.

Hakan Calhanoglu's spot-kick pulled one back for Inter, who were left to rue a string of missed chances, but another stunner from Frank Anguissa restored Napoli's two-goal advantage.

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Antonio Conte's side slipped to a surprise 1-0 defeat at Torino last Saturday and were humbled 6-2 in midweek by PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, but they responded in style at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

Inter made all the early running, with Italy defender Alessandro Bastoni, Calhanoglu and Lautaro Martínez all going close to giving the visitors an early lead.

Martinez's effort was well saved by Napoli goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic before Inter midfielder Nicolò Barella fired wide.

But after soaking up early pressure, Napoli took the lead from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute after Henrikh Mkhitaryan's challenge on Giovanni Di Lorenzo.

De Bruyne converted his fourth Serie A goal of the season from the spot, while Mkhitaryan was forced off and replaced by Piotr Zielinski after injuring himself in the tackle.

Napoli were also forced into a first-half change as De Bruyne made way for Mathías Olivera before Inter went close to an equaliser when Bastoni headed Calhanoglu's cross against the bar.

Inter created several more chances before the interval. Milinkovic-Savic produced another superb save to keep out Calhanoglu's stinging drive and Denzel Dumfries' header hit a post.

But after riding the storm, Napoli caught Inter on the break early in the second half, with McTominay racing on to Leonardo Spinazzola's long ball before crashing a brilliant half-volley into the far corner.

Inter hauled themselves back into it via the game's second penalty just before the hour-mark.

Napoli defender Alessandro Buongiorno was adjudged to have handled by VAR and Calhanoglu converted the resulting spot-kick.

The home side regained their two-goal advantage seven minutes later with another goal out of the top drawer as Anguissa drove into the area and rifled an unstoppable finish into the top corner.

Martinez's header was blocked and Inter substitute Luis Henrique fired narrowly wide as Inter continued to push forward, but Napoli saw the game out for their sixth league win of the season.