Livorno 2 : 4 Chievo - Flying Donkeys lick Livorno

Posted Monday, April 14, 2014 by PA

Alberto Paloschi netted a hat-trick as Chievo gave their Serie A survival hopes a big boost with a 4-2 win at Livorno.

Luca Siligardi put Livorno ahead in the sixth minute of a topsy-turvy first half, only for Paloschi and Cyril Thereau to turn the game on its head.

Paulinho's penalty swiftly got the hosts back on level terms, but Paloschi's second goal of the game restored the Flying Donkeys' lead in first-half stoppage time and he completed his treble 11 minutes after the break from the spot to seal the points.

Livorno headed into the game occupying the final relegation spot, but had their visitors very much in their sights - just one place and two points better off.

And the match could hardly have got off to a better start for the hosts, as Djamel Mesbah's header from Cristiano Piccini's right-wing cross fell for Siligardi to nod into an empty net from close range.

The lead lasted barely three minutes, though, before Paloschi beat the offside trap and slotted a right-footed shot in at the far post for his first goal of the afternoon.

Chievo continued to push - Thereau heading over, Paloschi drilling inches wide and Livorno goalkeeper Francesco Bardi pulling off a fine save to deny Perparim Hetemaj - before deservedly taking the lead midway through the first half.

Thereau fed Paloschi out wide and was then in the right place to latch onto the striker's cross to nod home.

Livorno refused to lie down at this point, and equalised 10 minutes later when Dario Dainelli fouled Paulinho and the Brazilian picked himself up to convert the spot-kick past Michael Agazzi and into the bottom-left corner.

Chievo were not to be denied a half-time lead, though, and duly restored their advantage in first-half stoppage time courtesy of a classy back-heeled flick from Paloschi from Hetemaj's cross.

Bardi had to be alert five minutes after the interval to tip a fierce volley from Luca Rigoni over the bar, but six minutes later the visitors did have a two-goal cushion.

Ivan Radovanovic went down in the area under a clumsy challenge from Mesbah, and Paloschi coolly despatched the spot-kick high into the net.

Livorno did their best to get back into the game, but Agazzi managed to keep out Paulinho's header and substitute Alfred Duncan's drilled attempt as well as a Leandro Greco free-kick from the edge of the box.

Chievo could have made it even more emphatic in stoppage time, but Bardi got the better of substitute Victor Obinna following a swift counter-attack.