| David Suazo and former Palermo benchwarmer Simone Pepe humiliated the 10-man Sicilians at the Stadio Barbera, as fourth place hangs perilously in the balance. The Rosanero were in dire need of results after sliding down the standings without a win in eight rounds. Edison Cavani returned to bolster the attack surprisingly partnered by Franco Brienza, although long-term injuries Eugenio Corini, Amauri and Ciro Capuano were out. Cagliari were confident after their 2-0 win over Messina last week, but had only one win on their travels this term and had scored just nine goals. Ex-Palermo man Simone Pepe started upfront and Antonio Chimenti returned between the posts. It took the home side just three minutes to open the scoring, as Maurizio Ciaramitaro flicked on a pass with his back to goal for Mark Bresciano's precise angled drive at the near post. Chimenti blocked a Cavani volley from Bresciano's splendid pass, while at the other end Pepe's acrobatic effort was well saved by his old teammate Alberto 'Jimmy' Fontana. The Palermo goalkeeper was also tested by Daniele Conti. David Suazo is Cagliari's key figure and he earned a multitude of free kicks and bookings. Alessandro Budel's through ball sent him running and Giuseppe Biava hauled him down, giving away a penalty and earning himself a second yellow card. Suazo himself buried the kick under the crossbar. Cagliari now had their tails up and Del Grosso's free kick skimmed the frame of the goal. Suazo continued to inspire, as Fontana flew to fingertip a Budel drive round the post, then had to perform a tough save on the Honduran international's left-foot finish. Cavani was Palermo's only hope and his long-range screamer skimmed the crossbar. Bresciano went even closer with a splendid free kick that took a deflection to clip the frame of the goal. The Rosanero started to gain a little more confidence and Aimo Diana thought he had given them the lead on 73 minutes, but he was offside when volleying in Bresciano's pass. On the counter Pepe's sidefoot finish was held by Fontana and the ex-Palermo benchwarmer made his presence felt. Just as Cagliari were under the most pressure, Pepe ran away on the counter for an angled drive that went in despite Fontana getting a touch. Suazo put the final nail in Palermo's coffin with a classic counter-attack set up by D'Agostino. | 
