Palermo rubber stamped their return to the big time with a 1-0 win over Novara that also confirmed that the Rosanero will end the campaign as Serie B champions.
Signing off in style was clearly on the agenda from the off in Piedmont, with Abel Hernandez forcing a terrific early save from Tomas Kosicky with a blistering drive from the edge of the area. The Uruguayan striker will perhaps be relishing a top flight return more than most having missed large chunks of last season’s fruitless attempts to beat the drop.
With Palermo dominating proceedings, it was Hernandez who again came close to opening the scoring with a fine looping header that looked destined for the top corner until Kosicky at full stretch palmed the ball to safety.
Novara were finally breached three minutes prior to half time, when a well worked corner routine saw Paulo Dybala’s shot from just inside the box diverted past Kosicky by the outstretched boot of Franco Vazquez, sending the large travelling contingent behind the goal into raptures.
A slight scare was averted after the break when a smart header from Raffaele Rubino was correctly ruled out for offside. Rosanero keeper Stefano Sorrentino was rarely troubled thereafter, with Giuseppe Iachini’s side able to afford the luxury of seeing a Kyle Lafferty effort rebound off the post.
Palermo have looked like champions in waiting for several months now, but the final whistle still sparked scenes of jubilation throughout a squad that initially struggled to adapt to life back in the second tier, but are ending the season in unstoppable form.
For Iachini, it is a second promotion in three seasons having steered Sampdoria back into the top flight back in 2012. Whether or not his efforts this season will be rewarded in the next with uncharacteristic patience from club owner Maurizio Zamparini remains to be seen, but for now he can congratulate himself on a job well done.
The race for second place meanwhile continues to offer the most amount of intrigue in this Serie B campaign. Empoli enhanced their own chances of promotion with a 3-1 win at Brescia that brought to an end a run of three straight away defeats.
Massimo Maccarone opened the scoring on the half hour before Andrea Caracciolo levelled from the spot shortly before half time. Francesco Tavano restored Empoli’s lead with a successful spot kick of his own in the 66th minute, before Simone Verdi made absolutely sure in the third minute of injury time.
Waiting to pounce on any slip up from Empoli are Crotone, who picked up a 2-1 win over Padova, and Latina, who were disappointingly held to a 1-1 draw at already relegated Juve Stabia. Both sides trail the Tuscan side by just four points.
Two points further back lie Cesena, who returned to winning ways this weekend with a 2-0 victory over Avellino, who themselves have fallen away badly in recent weeks. Virtus Lanciano continue to challenge for a play-off place thanks to a 2-2 draw with Trapani, as do Spezia following a 2-1 win over Reggina, and Modena, who routed Siena 4-1.
Elsewhere, Bari picked up a 2-1 win over Ternana, Carpi defeated Pescara 2-0, and Cittadella simultaneously boosted their hops of survival and piled huge pressure on opponents Varese with a stunning 5-1 win that closes the gap between the two sides to just a point.
