Lega Calcio news: Palermo 3-1 Chievo
De Paula 18 (C), Pastore 28 (P), Miccoli pen 39, 53 (P)
Stadio Barbera
Palermo fought back from a surprise De Paula opener to consolidate fourth position.
The Rosanero’s confidence was hit by the derby defeat to Catania and the fact Sampdoria caught them in fourth place. However, they welcomed a decimated Chievo side that missed suspended trio Sergio Pellissier, Luca Rigoni and Santiago Morero, not to mention the injured Luciano, Michele Marcolini and Lorenzo Squizzi. Palermo were without Fabio Simplicio, Mark Bresciano and Cesare Bovo.
Antonio Nocerino volleyed off target from an inspired Fabrizio Miccoli ball over the top. Stefano Sorrentino performed a desperate save on Simon Kjaer’s header from point-blank range.
However, the Flying Donkeys took a shock lead at the Barbera. Nocerino’s defensive header was poor, so De Paula pounced to hold off Goian and nutmeg the goalkeeper from nine yards.
Miccoli stung Sorrentino’s palms with a snapshot, but it was Javier Pastore who equalised. Fabio Liverani’s free kick landed right on the Argentine’s head for a looping finish into the far top corner, although Mandelli’s marking left something to be desired.
The referee pointed to the spot for Manuel Iori’s clumsy challenge on Liverani. Miccoli stepped up and converted the penalty after a stuttering run-up, beating Sorrentino low at the near post.
Chievo nearly got back on level terms again soon after, as a Bentivoglio free kick squirmed through a sea of legs before it was palmed off the line at the back post.
Luca Ariatti needed a desperate goalline clearance to stop Pastore’s shot going into an empty net with the goalkeeper already beaten.
An unsightly brawl broke out just before half-time, sparked by Miccoli and Mario Yepes that then involved a series of players.
Straight after the restart Miccoli made it 3-1, as a corner was rolled across to the unmarked ‘Pocket Striker’ for a fantastic curler from distance.
Sorrentino prevented Pastore getting another after he dispossessed defenders.
Palermo: Sirigu; Cassano, Kjaer, Goian, Balzaretti; Migliaccio, Liverani, Nocerino; Pastore (Budan 90); Cavani (Bertolo 82), Miccoli (Hernandez 68)
Chievo: Sorrentino; Frey, Mandelli, Yepes, Mantovani (Jokic 65); Pinzi, Iori (Granoche 58), Ariatti (Sbaffo 74); Bentivoglio; Abbruscato, De Paula
Ref: Gervasoni