Italian Serie A report: Chievo ease away from trouble

Chievo put plenty of daylight between themselves and the relegation zone thanks to a 1-0 win over Palermo at Marcantonio Bentegodi on Saturday evening.

Alberto Paloschi scored the only goal of the game and also missed a penalty, while the Sicilians ended the game with only 10 men after Sinisa Andjelkovic was given his marching orders late on.

The defeat practically ends any outside hopes Palermo still might have harboured of qualifying for Europe next season.

Riccardo Meggiorini came close to giving Chievo a flying start with a volley which just missed the target.

Paulo Dybala replied at the other end, bringing a fine save out of Albano Bizzarri before Stefano Sorrentino was called into action at the other end to deny Meggiorini again.

Chances continued to come at both ends of the field with Chievo taking one of theirs 10 minutes before half-time.

Paloschi controlled the ball well from Meggiorini's pass before beating Sorrentino with his shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Chievo looked to wrap up victory early in the second half with Sorrentino the busier of the two goalkeepers.

The hosts got the chance they wanted to put the result beyond doubt on the hour mark when Andjelkovic handled the ball inside the area. However, Paloschi wasted the opportunity, sending his spot-kick over the crossbar.

Andjlekovic could have made amends with a header which he sent wide, but he then became a protagonist for the wrong reasons when he picked up a second yellow card five minutes from time.

Chievo's lead was no longer tested and they held on for a win which takes them 11 points clear of the bottom three with as many games of the season remaining.