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Palermo continue to mark Inter closely at the top of the table with this relatively comfortable win over Sampdoria.
The Rosanero were eager to hang on to the summit of Serie A with a victory, especially after the midweek UEFA Cup home defeat to Newcastle United. Alberto Fontana again stepped in for the injured Federico Agliardi, while Samp saw Fabio Bazzani fly to Rome to be with his wife Alessia Merz following last night's birth of their son Niccolo'. With Francesco Flachi still banned for betting irregularities, that left them with few attacking options.
Amauri's free header was fingertipped over the bar and David Di Michele drilled wide from distance. Di Michele set up Fabio Simplicio's right-foot strike that the Brazilian failed to keep on target from inside the area.
Luca Castellazzi was tested by a Roberto Guana attempt and Massimo Bonanni's shot was deflected past the post.
Palermo took a deserved lead on 35 minutes through their captain. A free kick was touched on for Eugenio Corini, whose curling effort went in despite Cristian Terlizzi's attempted goalline clearance.
After the break Alberto Fontana smothered an Emiliano Bonazzoli angled drive and Fabio Quagliarella held up the ball for Franceschini to hit the side-netting. Another Corini free kick flew into the goal, but it was disallowed because it was an indirect set-piece.
The Rosanero doubled their lead on 70 minutes with Cristian Zaccardo. A set-piece was only cleared as far as the edge of the area and Fabio Simplicio's strike was charged down, but the loose ball was eventually turned in from close range.
Di Michele's solo run finished off target and ex-Palermo star Terlizzi was sent off in the final minutes.
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