Jovetic’s goal helps Inter beat Napoli in Coppa Italia

Inter Milan booked their place in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia with a hard-earned 2-0 victory at Serie A leaders Napoli.

Stevan Jovetic and Adem Ljajic were on target for the visitors in the second half as Napoli lost for only the second time since August.

Napoli’s misery was compounded by the dismissal of Dries Mertens late on, earning his second yellow card for simulation.

The Partenopei — who are two points ahead of Juventus and four clear of Inter at the top of the table — had created the better chances of a goalless first half.

Belgian midfielder Mertens, one of several changes by Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri, saw a curling effort saved by Samir Hadanovic, with the Inter goalkeeper then producing a fine one-handed stop to deny Jose Callejon.

Manolo Gabbiadini’s free-kick was also dealt with by the Slovenian as the visitors closed out the first half.

Inter regrouped for the second half, with Gary Medel firing over from Jovetic’s cross.

Sarri sent on first Slovak playmaker Marek Hamsik and then striker Gonzalo Higuain — who had netted four goals in his last two games — for the final 20 minutes to try to inject new life into the hosts.