Palermo 3 : 1 Bologna - Palermo boss gets winning boost

The future of Palermo coach Devis Mangia seems safe for at least another fortnight after his side defeated Bologna to move up to fifth in Serie A.

Eran Zahavi put the home side in front after just 13 minutes and further goals in the second half from Matias Silvestre and Josip Ilicic sealed the victory before Gaston Ramirez scored a late consolation for the visitors.

The defeat was Stefano Pioli's first after two straight wins and only his second since he took charge of Bologna a month ago to the day.

After a bright start to the game, Palermo got the goal they were looking for in the 13th minute when Zahavi first spread the play wide to Ilicic before racing into the centre to pick up on the cross for a simple tap-in with Bologna goalkeeper Jean-Francois Gillet out of position.

Mangia was forced into an early change as Abel Hernandez picked up an injury without the interference of an opponent. Ignacio Lores replaced him after just 19 minutes.

The home side continued what was slowly becoming a monologue, with Gillet touching Ilicic's shot against the crossbar in the 33rd minute.

However, they almost conceded an equaliser in the 38th minute when Panagiotis Kone found his way through, but his Greek compatriot Alexandros Tzorvas denied him in the Palermo goal.

Tzorvas then denied Andrea Raggi with a fine reflex save as Bologna ended the half on a high.

The home side doubled their lead in the 52nd minute when Silvestre headed in at the far post from Zahavi's corner with the positioning of Gillet again questionable.

Ilicic then sealed the win in the 75th minute as he beat Gillet in a one-on-one situation after good work by Lores.

There was not much joy in Sicily for Bologna, but at least their Uruguayan striker Ramirez got something to smile about when he scored a consolation in the 87th minute.

Bologna's most dangerous player on the evening picked up on a neat backheel from Gimenez, and he shot past Tzorvas from outside the area.