Scott McTominay fired Napoli to the top of Serie A with his spectacular twelfth league goal of the season.
The former Manchester United midfielder produced a sensational acrobatic volley inside the six-yard box to put the Partenopei 1-0 up at the Diego Maradona.
His goal against Cagliari took Napoli back past Inter Milan, who had taken an early lead against Como through a Stefan de Vrij header.
Como goalkeeper Pepe Reina was controversially sent off in the first half for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity in his last professional appearance, leaving the way clear for the Nerazzurri to fulfil their part of what they require to overtake Napoli to win the Serie A title.
Advert
But Napoli led at half time thanks to the Scotland international's super strike.
McTominay fired in from Matteo Politano's cross to send the famous old Naples stadium into euphoria, bathed in sky blue smoke as a fourth Scudetto edged closer.
Despite a mostly composed opening 45 minutes against Cagliari elsewhere on the pitch, an otherwise dominant Napoli showed some desperation in the penalty area after consecutive draws left them within Inter's reach if they slip up on home turf on a night of two title deciders.
But in the 42nd minute, Lancastrian McTominay coolly assessed his options and leapt off his feet to steer Politano's ball into the box past Cagliari goalkeeper Alen Sherri.
Cagliari reached the break without a single shot in the game, having spent most of the half throwing their bodies in front of shots to keep the Neapolitans at bay.
Both Napoli and Inter are without their head coach in the dugouts after Antonio Conte and Simone Inzaghi were sent to the stands during their penultimate Serie A fixtures.
A win for both would take Napoli to 82 points ahead of Inter on 81, securing their fourth league title and the second since the exalted Diego Maradona era.
How Scott McTominay became the new prince of Naples
28-year-old McTominay isn't going to reach the same heights as El Diego but he was already beloved in Naples before his goal against Cagliari.
His previous 11 and a string of dynamic midfield performances at the business end of the season skyrocketed his adulation in the city and he has been hailed a 'genius' for his impact on the pitch this season.
By volleying in the opener on such a big night, McTominay bolstered that civic love and moved back within one goal of top scorer Romelu Lukaku.
In total, the Scotland international has been directly involved in 16 Serie A goals since leaving Man Utd last summer.
If Napoli go on to win, McTominay will win his first ever league title.
Topics: Napoli, Scott Mctominay, Inter Milan, Serie A
Chris Nee