Palermo captain Fabrizio Miccoli has described his performance against Chievo as one of his "best days" at the club.
Miccoli scored a hat-trick to help Palermo win their first game of the season with a 4-1 home success over Chievo.
The skipper completed his treble with an incredible strike from just inside the halfway line in an early contender for goal of the season.
Miccoli told reporters that he feels the performance has vindicated his position at the club after a turbulent start to the season.
He said: "It is one of my best days. This is my sixth year in Palermo, yet every time it feels like I have to start from scratch and prove I'm not old or just worthy of playing the last half-hour.
"I always give my all and I'm happy with that. Why was I dropped for Gasperini's first two games? I had been alright before, but tests this week showed a calf problem.
"I couldn't leave the team on its own at the moment."
Palermo manager Gian Piero Gasperini had been under pressure in Sicily after losing his first two matches in charge before Miccoli's inspired intervention.
Liam Power
