| Palermo's crisis is officially over after possibly their best performance of the season, hammering Livorno 3-0. The Rosanero have been struggling of late and slipped down to third place, while Livorno were in fourth despite also stuttering. It took just two minutes for Palermo to open the scoring at the Stadio Barbera. Stefano Morrone lost the ball in midfield, accidentally hitting his head in the process, and the counter-attack was spread to the centre for Fabio Simplicio's tap-in from six yards. Morrone took a bad knock off Eugenio Corini's knee in that move and was stretchered off in a state of semi-consciousness, but was able to continue after treatment. The home side were swarming all over Marco Amelia's area and Corini's fierce strike from the edge of the area was deflected just over the bar. Livorno tried to get back into the game with a couple of Dario Passoni and Giovanni Pasquale free kicks, but they rarely threatened. Instead, the Sicilians doubled their lead on 36 minutes. Mark Bresciano knew where his teammate was when he spun round and immediately chipped up a cross to the back post for Amauri's splendid header from six yards. Amauri's counter-attack was charged down by Alessandro Grandoni, while 10 seconds into the second half Bresciano blasted a volley over. Alberto 'Jimmy' Fontana plucked a dangerous corner kick off the head of Cristiano Lucarelli, while Paulinho was booked for a particularly ineffective simulation. David Di Michele has fully recovered from his thigh injury and was a constant thorn in Livorno's side. He exchanged passes at speed with Bresciano on 62 minutes and only a fantastic Amelia save prevented his chip with the outside of his foot from making it 3-0. Amauri almost scored the goal of the season. Palermo's one-touch football team move was finalised by a stunning overhead kick from the Brazilian, well held by Amelia. Amauri didn't predict an inspired Di Michele flick into the area that would've sent him clear. Palermo's tails were up and they were clearly enjoying their football again. Amauri rolled the ball across for Di Michele, whose magnificent first-time strike with the outside of his right foot smashed against the crossbar from 20 metres. Di Michele in particular was earning regular standing ovations from the Stadio Barbera crowd. He leaped up with his back to the ball near the byline, volleying the pass on for Amauri with the heel of his trailing foot in a moment of remarkable technique. But Livorno weren't out of it yet and Lucarelli's header was across the face of goal following Fontana's flap at a cross. Mattia Cassani's strike was deflected wide and Amauri went off with cramp before Amelia fingertipped a Cristian Zaccardo header round the post. Palermo eventually extended their lead with another excellent goal. Fabio Simplicio smashed an unstoppable half-volley into the roof of the net from just inside the area. Di Michele was on spectacular form, his disguised pass slicing the defence in two for Andrea Caracciolo and Amelia rushing out to smother the shot. Lucarelli was the last to give in, his central header and an audacious lob from 35 metres troubling Fontana. But it was all Palermo really and in the last kick of the game Amelia flapped a Caracciolo curler out of the top corner. | 
