Milan: Antonio Di Natale scored twice as Udinese beat struggling Parma 4-2 to move third in the Serie A standings on Monday.
Palermo also remained mired at the bottom of the table after Filip Djordjevic's hat-trick helped consign Giuseppe Iachini's side to a 4-0 loss at home to Lazio.
Parma took the lead in the 22nd minute when Antonio Cassano threaded the ball through for 18-year-old Jose Mauri to slot into the bottom left corner.
Di Natale restored parity minutes later and fired Udinese in front on the stroke of halftime following a swift counter attack.
However, there was still time before the break for Cassano to equalise with a cheeky chipped penalty after Silvan Widmer brought down Mauri.
Udinese defender Thomas Heurtaux scored shortly before the hour mark with an acrobatic overhead kick, and Cyril Thereau sealed the result six minutes from time, shortly after Parma midfielder Afriyie Acquah had been sent off for a second booking.
"Credit to Parma, they put us in difficulty in the first half, especially on the left wing," Udinese coach Andrea Stramaccioni said. "We weren't at 100 per cent, there is still a lot to work on and we are here for that. We have to get 40 points (for safety) and this start is useful for our mentality. We have to keep our feet on the ground."
Parma remained in the bottom three after just one win in its opening five matches.
Palermo and Lazio also had just three points heading into the match in Sicily.
The home side started the brighter and missed a host of opportunities but it was Lazio which took the lead moments before halftime when Antonio Candreva's low cross was knocked in by Djordjevic at the far post for his first Serie A goal.
Palermo wasted more chances in the second half and Djordjevic doubled his tally with a delightful effort, turning his marker as he gathered the ball before curling into the far side of the net.
The Serbia striker - a summer signing from Nantes - completed his hat-trick with a shot from a tight angle seven minutes from time.
Marco Parolo added the fourth in injury time.
"I am very happy for these three goals," Djordjevic said. "A striker needs to score to have confidence. I am also very happy for the team because we played well with a lot of grit and aggressiveness.
"We had had two or three good games but hadn't managed to get the results. We didn't play as well in the first half but after my first goal everything was easier."
Comments
0 comment