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Serie A
Feb 14, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Napoli logo

3-1

Lazaar (14'), Vazquez (36'), Rigoni (65')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Napoli fall to Palermo defeat

Palermo beat Napoli 3-1 at the Stadio Renzo Barbera to close in on a Europa League berth in the Serie A table.

Napoli dropped further points in the race for the Serie A title by suffering a 3-1 loss against Palermo this evening.

The Partenopei had won their last four league encounters coming into this game to keep alive their faint hopes of catching Juventus at the top, but they now find themselves nine points off the summit, having played one game more than the leaders.

Luca Rigoni of Palermo celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the Serie A match between US Citta di Palermo and SSC Napoli at Stadio Renzo Barbera on February 14, 2015© Getty Images

It was the visitors who created the first real opening when Jonathan de Guzman tested Stefano Sorrentino with a powerful volley which the keeper managed to keep out.

Palermo took the lead in bizarre circumstances, with Achraf Lazaar's shot to nothing from more than 30 yards out squirming through the hands of Rafael and into the back of the net.

Francesco Bolzoni and De Guzman both came close to finding the second goal, which eventually arrived 10 minutes before the interval courtesy of Franco Vazquez's first-time shot from the edge of the box.

Palermo's Achraf Lazaar celebrates with teammates after scoring during the Italian Serie A football match Palermo vs Napoli on February 14, 2015© Getty Images

Rafael had to be fully alert to deny the Argentine midfielder from adding another from similar range shortly after, although Vazquez did play a big part in his side's third goal as he headed a cross into the path of Luca Rigoni to tap home from close range.

Manolo Gabbiadini did manage to pull one back for Rafael Benitez's men seven minutes from time by catching out Stefano Sorrentino with his flicked header, but the Eagles safely saw out the remainder of the contest to claim all three points.

The win lifts them to within two points of Sampdoria, who currently occupy the final European berth in the Serie A table.

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Napoli's Italian forward Manolo Gabbiadini celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A football match SSC Napoli vs Udinese Calcio on February 8, 2015
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Pisa1393125111430
2SassuoloSassuolo1384125121328
3SpeziaSpezia137601981127
4Cesena136342218421
5Cremonese135351817118
6BariBari133821511417
7Palermo134541311217
8Brescia135261820-217
9Juve StabiaJuve Stabia134541316-317
10Mantova134451215-316
11CatanzaroCatanzaro132921311215
12Cosenza CalcioCosenza144731414015
13Modena143651920-115
14Sampdoria134361618-215
15Reggiana133551315-214
16Carrarese133461115-413
17Salernitana133461318-513
18SudtirolSudtirol134181420-613
19Cittadella13337619-1312
20FrosinoneFrosinone13175818-1010


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