Palermo defeated Bologna to move up to fifth as they maintained their perfect home record, while Roma produced a much-needed win at Novara.
Palermo maintain perfect home record; Roma win away
Palermo defeated Bologna to move up to fifth as they maintained their perfect home record, while Roma produced a much-needed win at Novara.
The future of
Palermo coach Devis Mangia seems safe for at least another fortnight after his side defeated
Bologna 3-1 to move up to fifth in Serie A.
Eran Zahavi put the home side in front after just 13 minutes and further goals in the second half from Matias Silvestre and Josip Ilicic sealed the victory before Gaston Ramirez scored a late consolation for the visitors.
The Sicilian outfit have won all five home encounters this season but away from the Renzo Barbera stadium they have picked up just one point and are yet to score.
Meanwhile, for the visitors, the defeat was Stefano Pioli's first after two straight wins and only his second since he took charge of Bologna a month ago to the day.
Delightful
In the late game,
Roma ended their recent poor run with a 2-0 win at
Novara that moved them up to seventh.
The capital giants' season had stalled with three defeats in their last four games before this encounter at the Stadio Silvio Piola.
Bojan Krkic and Pablo Osvaldo scored the goals three minutes apart to give the Giallorossi only their second win in five games.
Roma enjoyed most of the possession but it took until the 72nd minute before they broke the deadlock.
Bojan latched onto a delightful chip over the top from Miralem Pjanic to finish with a fierce volley.
Bosnia international Pjanic set up the second as well with a pinpoint cross for Osvaldo to head home his fifth league goal of the season.
Novara, meanwhile, have won just one game since returning to their top flight - a 3-1 triumph over Inter Milan in September - and they could slip to 19th after Sunday's matches.
