Udinese 1 : 0 Palermo - Di Natale fires Udinese to victory

Posted Sunday, October 30, 2011 by PA

Udinese climbed up to second in Serie A after they claimed a slender 1-0 win over Palermo at the Stadio Friuli.

Antonio Di Natale scored the only goal of the game after Udinese completely dominated the first half.

Palermo upped the pace after the break but failed to beat the defences of goalkeeper Samir Handanovic to suffer their fourth away defeat of the season.

The result means the Udine-based club move to within a point of Serie A leaders Juventus in the overall standings with a superior goal difference over fourth-placed Lazio, who could leapfrog AC Milan and move level one again with victory over Cagliari in the late match.

Palermo, however, slip to ninth.

The home side were in total control during the first half and were unlucky not to covert more of their chances.

Pablo Armero's cross-shot narrowly flew over the bar in the 11th minute before Kwadwo Asamoah tested Palermo `keeper Alexandros Tzorvas with a good strike from the middle of the area, only to be denied by an excellent save.

Dusan Basta's right-footed shot then missed the post before Mauricio Isla's free-kick also went over the bar.

However, with the pressure building and as Udinese dominated possession, it was only a matter of time before they broke the deadlock.

Striker Di Natale finally scored in the 38th minute when he blasted the ball into the back of the net from the middle of the area after latching on to the end of Basta's cross.

After the break Palermo took control and had most of the early chances.

Edgar Barreto squandered a great opportunity to draw level when his strike from just outside the box was saved by Handanovic in the 50th minute.

Fabrizio Miccoli's close-range header missed the right post six minutes later before Federico Balzaretti forced Handanovic to make a top quality save to deny the visitors again.

Di Natale almost doubled the lead but in the end Udinese had to settle for a slender win.

end