INTER MAKE FINE START UNDER TARDELLI

Tardelli retained the formation, 4-3-1-2, that proved so ineffective under former coach Marcello Lippi and whilst it would be easy to get carried away there is still a lot work to fine-tune the arrangement.

Unlike Lippi this season though, Tardelli was able to call upon almost a full squad, and the return of club captain Javier Zanetti was the key to Inter's performance.

The Argentine international produced a superb show of leadership as he brought guidance and discipline to a midfield often absent under Lippi.

Zanetti was joined in the midfield by Francisco Farinos, a European Cup finalist with Valencia last season, and Luigi Di Biagio and it was Di Biagio who grabbed the first goal after 10 minutes.

Seedorf swung over a corner from the left and Di Biagio leapt high to power home a header that was the start of an all action performance from the Italian international.

Napoli for their part were often overwhelmed by the speed of the Inter attacks and the raw enthusiasm of Ireland's Robbie Keane provided a constant threat to defenders more used to a leisurely stroll out of defence with the ball.

Keane was joined in attack by Ivan Zamorano and it was the Chilean that bagged Inter's second on 34 minutes.

Again Di Biagio was involved when he rocketed in a free kick that ricocheted between from defender to goalkeeper before Zamorano pounced to blast home the loose ball.

The third goal fell on the stroke of half time and it went to former Napoli player Laurent Blanc.

Blanc had a dreadful spell at Napoli and was much criticised for his style of play but he answered those critics with the classic sweeper's goal.

Blanc came striding forward unopposed and played a one-two with Seedorf, as the Napoli defenders moved up to catch Keane offside, Blanc merely continued his run forward to take the return from Seedorf before rounding the keeper and slotting into an empty goal.

David Sesa pulled a goal back for Napoli in the second half with a free kick that deflected past Frey, in the Inter goal, via the arms of Seedorf but Inter could easily have added to their total had Keane and Zamorano not missed good opportunities.

Alvaro Recoba replaced Keane after 65 minutes and at the final whistle the home fans roundly jeered the Uruguayan, who is stalling on a new contract at Inter. Recoba is out of contract next June and has been attracting interest from Juventus.