Cavani brace sinks City's Champions League hopes

Napoli 2 Manchester City 1

Edinson Cavani struck twice as Napoli left Manchester City’s Champions League hopes in tatters tonight.

The highly-rated Uruguayan lifted the Italian side back into second in Group A with goals either side of a Mario Balotelli equaliser at the intimidating Stadio San Paolo.

City had several chances in an eventful game but Marek Hamsik also hit the post for the hosts, who dominated for long spells.

The level of hostility facing City in the vast arena, if not already apparent, became clear as their first touches of the ball were met by ear-piercing whistles.

It was something they would have to get used to and it did not appear to bother them as they built a patient early attack.

Dzeko thought about attempting an overhead kick from a Zabaleta cross but was not in a good position and a chance was missed.

City came forward again with Yaya Toure firing over and Balotelli bending a long-range effort wide.

Napoli initially looked to hit City on the break and gave the visitors a warning when Marek Hamsik headed straight at Joe Hart from an Ezequiel Lavezzi cross.

Lavezzi then shot wide after neat interplay with Edinson Cavani on the edge of the box as Napoli began to take charge.

Lavezzi got on the end of a cross from former Liverpool player Andrea Dossena but his volley was deflected wide, with Joleon Lescott getting an important touch.

Hart was then extended as Gokhan Inler forced Hart to palm over from long range.

City were undone from the resulting corner by Lavezzi, as Cavani’s glancing header found a way past Hart at his near post.

City looked stunned as Napoli continued to pour forward but they eventually managed to regain a measure of possession.

One patient move ended with Silva screwing a shot well wide from distance but City pressed again and levelled after 32 minutes.

A poor clearance from Paolo Cannavaro went straight to Silva who fired in a shot at Morgan De Sanctis’ goal. The keeper parried but only as far as Balotelli, who gratefully tapped in from close range.

Kolarov broke into the area as City threatened a second just before the break but shot straight at De Sanctis.

City's hopes of progressing to the second stage tonight looked a long shot as Napoli regained the lead four minutes into the second half.

The visitors were caught out down their right as Dossena managed to get behind Zabaleta and pull back for Cavani in front of goal.

The highly-rated Uruguayan made no mistake as he side-footed home his second with precision, although Hart would perhaps feel he should have blocked it.

City came under further siege as Lescott blocked a shot from Hamsik and the Slovakian headed the rebound over. Inler put another attempt wide.

Silva tried to stir a response but badly miscued another shot.

Kolarov teed up Balotelli at the end of a good move but the City striker could not make firm contact in front of goal.

Hart needed to be alert at the other end to cut out a cross from Christian Maggio and then did even better to deny Lavezzi after he was played in by Cavani and beat Vincent Kompany.

City were fortunate not to concede a third when Hamsik weaved his way into the box and struck the base of the post with a powerful shot.

Maggio then went through on goal as City were exposed again but Hart came out to smother the ball.

Yet City were not downhearted and Balotelli headed another good chance over from a cross from substitute Samir Nasri.

Silva forced another save from De Sanctis as City pushed for a late equaliser but Napoli held on.