Massimiliano Allegri believes Napoli "won with anger" against Bologna on Sunday to end their losing run.
Stanislav Lobotka scored the only goal in a 1-0 win at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, snapping a three-game losing streak across all competitions for Napoli.
Costantino Favasuli provided the assist; he is the third Napoli defender in the Aurelio De Laurentiis era to provide a match-winning assist on his Serie A debut with the club, after Paolo Cannavaro and Gianluca Grava.
Rasmus Hojlund and Antonio Vergara spurned big chances late on, with Napoli winning the expected goals (xG) battle 1.19 to 0.29.
Allegri pointed out a key difference which he believes was lacking in their defeats to Inter and Como, and that was Napoli's "anger".
"The game was wanted and won with anger, something that was missing between Como and Inter," Allegri told Sky Sport Italia.
"There we were too superficial, even though we did some good things.
"In the end we could have managed some situations better, we were keeping the ball in our own half when we need to do it in the opposition box.
"We conceded little all the same, so let us enjoy this win, which is the first at home. Hopefully it is a good start."
Kevin De Bruyne played in a more advanced role against Bologna, operating behind striker Hojlund.
The Belgium international created a match-high three chances and led for passes in the final third (36) before being replaced late on.
Allegri revealed the substitution was due to cramp rather than injury, and he has backed De Bruyne to thrive in a more familiar role.
"He expended a lot of energy, it was cramp," said Allegri when asked about De Bruyne's substitution.
"I think Kevin has played there his whole life. He is so good at creating space for himself, at understanding when to drop deeper, that arguing about it is practically impossible.
"From the way he controls the ball and the way he passes it, you can see he is completely different. For his age, he has to be managed."