Napoli's Scudetto bid left in tatters after defeat to Fiorentina

Napoli's hopes of a first Serie A title since 1990 have once again been dashed after a 3-0 loss to Fiorentina on Sunday.

Giovanni Simeone scored an impressive hat-trick to leave Maurizio Sarri's side four points behind Juventus with just three matches remaining.

The Bianconeri's 3-2 comeback win over Inter on Saturday meant Napoli had to win at the Stadio Artemio Franchi to keep up the pace.

However, Kalidou Koulibaly's early dismissal for a last-ditch challenge on Simeone left the visiting Partenopei with an impossible task.

For a brief moment this weekend, the odds seemed to turn in Napoli's favour. Inter was poised to beat Juventus right up until the final minutes of Saturday's contest at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza - a result that would have allowed Napoli to leapfrog into first place with a win over Fiorentina.

But Inter - which, like Napoli, was down a man for most of the contest - conceded twice in quick succession in the final minutes to give Juventus a crucial three points.

And there was little response from Sarri's men less than 24 hours later.

Koulibaly's foul on Simeone in the sixth minute was the breaking point for Napoli. Initially given a yellow card, Koulibaly was sent off by the Video Assistant Referee.

Fiorentina proceeded to pepper Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina with a total of 28 shots. Napoli managed just four attempts on goal.

Juventus can clinch its seventh consecutive title as soon as next weekend. A win over mid-table Bologna and a Napoli loss against Torino would crown Massimiliano Allegri's side champion.