Hamsik header sends Napoli joint second
Reuters - Saturday 11 December 2010, 22:25
MILAN - Marek Hamsik's superb first-half
header gave Napoli a 1-0 win at Genoa on Saturday which sent
Walter Mazzarri's side up to joint second in Serie A.
The Slovakia midfielder converted Walter Gargano's free-kick
after 25 minutes to put his team level on points with Lazio, who
visited Juventus in Sunday's main programme of matches.
Fifth-placed Palermo, who lost 1-0 to Napoli on Monday after
a goal deep in stoppage-time, picked themselves up with a 3-1
comeback home win over Parma as coach Delio Rossi's bold
decision to haul off playmaker Javier Pastore paid dividends.
The visitors, with coach Pasquale Marino absent after his
mother's death, took an early lead when the unmarked Alessandro
Lucarelli headed in a corner and they were fairly comfortable by
half-time with the usually dynamic Pastore having an off day.
The Argentine was replaced by Mauricio Pinilla at the break
and the Chilean soon equalised on the rebound. Fabrizio Miccoli
then benefited from Palermo's new shape to score before Pajtim
Kasami's late header went in off Cristian Zaccardo.
Udinese's Pablo Armero and Antonio Di Natale struck in the
second half as their side came from behind to earn a 2-1 home
win over Fiorentina.
The visitors had gone ahead after 31 minutes when Mario
Santana embarrassed goalkeeper Samir Handanovic from distance.
This weekend's matches were due to be hit by a players'
strike after a row over a collective contract with the league
but a deal was struck on Thursday to avert industrial action.