[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 17 - 20/12/06 (19.30 UK)
Palermo 4 - 0 Ascoli
Bresciano 15 (P), Corini 52 (P), Tedesco 83 (P), Capuano 92 (P)
Stadio Barbera

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Palermo put the memories of their Olimpico hammering behind them by doing a demolition job of their own on Ascoli.

The Rosanero desperately needed a result to boost confidence following the 4-0 thrashing at Roma on Sunday, a performance that saw President Maurizio Zamparini accuse Coach Francesco Guidolin of "trying to ruin a great squad." They were without Aimo Diana, Cesare Bovo, Andrea Caracciolo hurt himself in a domestic incident today and the suspended Fabio Simplicio, but still in better shape than Ascoli, who hadn't celebrated a single victory this season.

It was the visitors who had the first real chance when Paolucci fired straight at Alberto Fontana and the ball looped into the air for Cristian Zaccardo's goalline clearance.

Mark Bresciano gave Palermo the lead by taking advantage of some static defending. Tedesco flicked David Di Michele's pass over the defence for Bresciano to spring the offside trap and thump in an angled drive.

Di Michele's solo effort took a coat of paint off the far post, but Perrulli was Ascoli's most active member, going close and setting up a good chance wasted by Paolucci.

Gianluca Pagliuca was forced into a desperate save when Pecorari scuffed Cassani's cross for what was almost an own goal on the stroke of half-time.

Eugenio Corini doubled the Rosanero's advantage in the second half with one of his classic free kicks low at the near post.

Di Michele tested Pagliuca's reflexes and Palermo finally made it 3-0 in the final stages with Tedesco's free header from a corner kick.

Amauri's angled drive was parried into the path of Ciro Capuano, making the perfect return from a long-term injury.



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Palermo: Fontana; Cassani, Zaccardo, Barzagli, Pisano; Guana (Capuano 81), Corini, Tedesco; Di Michele (Brienza 75), Bresciano (Parravicini 50); Amauri

Ascoli: Pagliuca; Vastola (Guberti 56), Pecorari, Cudini, Nastase, Pesce (Bocchetti 76); Fini, Boudianski (Galloppa 56), Zanetti, Perrulli; Paolucci

Ref: Gava

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...7/pal-asc.html