Watch: Mertens grabs Serie A scoring lead with hat-trick against Bologna
Dries Mertens assumed top spot in the Serie A scoring race Saturday, the diminutive Belgian netting a sweet brace during an eventful opening half against Bologna before completing his hat-trick with an injury-time strike.
His treble, combined with three tallies from Marek Hamsik, saw Napoli obliterate the Rossoblu, 7-1.
Related - Watch: Hamsik nears Maradona's scoring record with hat trick
Mertens' opening goal was a sumptuous free-kick that wrong-footed Antonio Mirante:
He rounded the Italian 'keeper for his second 10 minutes later:
The second tally capped a wild opening 45 minutes, which saw two red cards - one to each side - a missed penalty by Mattia Destro, and five goals scored between the two clubs (Napoli scored four of them).
Not content with his work for the evening, Mertens nabbed a third in the 90th minute to leapfrog Mauro Icardi, Gonzalo Higuain and Edin Dzeko, who have each found the net 15 times this season.
HEADLINES
- Permutations in Europe: What's still at stake in final weeks of season?
- LAFC hail Giroud as 'real coup' after signing French star through 2025
- UEFA wants only captains to discuss decisions with Euro 2024 refs
- Bologna achieve UCL dream, Juve lock in top-5 finish after Roma's loss
- Como end 21-year wait for Serie A promotion