A first-half strike from Spanish forward Jose Callejon sent Napoli back to winning ways in a 1-0 win at struggling Sassuolo on Sunday, even if they were saved late on by the woodwork.

With only one point from their past three games, coach Rafael Benitez has been under increasing pressure with reports claiming he could be sacked well before his contract expires in June.

Napoli soaked up some late Sassuolo pressure in the closing stages to claim just their second win in five games to move up to eighth place ahead of the remaining fixtures on Sunday and Monday.

Napoli had all the early pressure, with Sassuolo 'keeper Andrea Consigli and then Matteo Brighi blocking Slovakian forward Marek Hamsik's effort centimetres from the goalline.

The visitors were finally rewarded in the 28th minute when Callejon was left unmarked at the back post to tap the ball past Consigli from Gonzalo Higuain's low cross. It was the Spaniard's third league strike of the season.

Sassuolo saw Simone Zaza go close before he was outmuscled by Kalidou Koulibaly and on the hour mark Napoli 'keeper Rafael watched as Simone Missiroli's curling effort went just over.

The hosts upped the intensity in the closing period and Rafael had to come off his line to close down Leonardo Pavoletti. Sassuolo then came close to levelling when Federico Peluso's deflected shot bounced off the crossbar.

Unbeaten champions Juventus sit top of Serie A on 15 points, the same as second-placed Roma, following their respective wins over Atalanta and Verona on Saturday.