Serie A: Parma back on track with 2-0 win over Inter Milan

Paolo De Ceglie secured a long-overdue victory for struggling Parma with two goals to down Inter Milan 2-0 at the Stadio Ennio Tardini.

The Juventus loanee's first career brace arrived at a vital time as it arrested Parma's desperate streak of six consecutive defeats and put them within sight of an escape from the relegation zone.

Despite registering back-to-back wins over the last seven days Inter's third defeat of the season leaves them marooned in eighth and with plenty of work to do to make the European places.

Eight league defeats and a return of just three points from their nine previous fixtures had left Parma rooted the bottom of the table and looking increasingly fragile with every passing game.

The board has shown rare patience with coach Roberto Donadoni and they were rewarded on Saturday night.

In only the fifth minute against Inter, De Ceglie scored the goal that would give the Gialloblu a much-needed injection of hope.

The on-loan winger was well-placed to control Andrea Rispoli's cross when Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic flapped at the air and he shrugged off the challenge of Nemanja Vidic to score.

Parma would go on to dominate the first half. Only quick thinking from Juan Jesus stopped Antonio Cassano scoring at the far post and Afriyie Acquah spooned the ball wide from a great position.

Inter's Joel Obi almost hurt his former club with a bullet header from Dodo's pass but Antonio Mirante parried clear and neither Mauro Icardi nor Gary Medel could tuck home as Parma's backline scrambled.

The next moment of magic belonged to Parma, though, with Cassano producing a remarkable first-time shot that took a fateful deflection off Vidic and veered just wide of the near post.

Inter had been the poorer side but nearly levelled just before the break as Rodrigo Palacio picked out Obi at the far post. The Nigerian nodded the ball back into the box but no one was there to convert.

Parma very nearly made it 2-0 when play resumed as Jose Mauri touched the ball inside for Francesco Lodi, who failed to hit the target despite being well-placed.

Zdravko Kuzmanovic led Inter's response by surprising Mirante with a rising right-footed effort and, on the hour mark, the Serbian midfielder attempted another powerful drive.

Sensing blood in the water Inter began to turn the screw and enjoyed a triple chance as Palacio, Mateo Kovacic and Hernanes all went close with varying degrees of accuracy.

It would not matter, however, as Parma managed to double up in the 76th minute.

The finish was not pretty but De Ceglie wheeled away in celebration after bobbling Cassano's knock-down through Handanovic's legs.