Palermo 1 : 1 Udinese - Dybala scores as Palermo draw

Paulo Dybala scored one penalty and missed another as Palermo dominated a 1-1 Serie A draw with Udinese at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.

The in-form Argentinian striker cancelled out Cyril Thereau's early opener from the spot just before the break and worked hardest in the pursuit of a winning goal for the Sicilians.

Visiting goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis thwarted him at nearly every turn, however, most importantly repelling his second spot-kick in the 53rd minute.

The shared points helped Palermo rise to 12th in the table while Udinese snapped a two-game losing streak to consolidate their position just outside the European places.

Andrea Stramaccioni's visitors wasted no time making a positive start to their Sunday appointment at La Favorita.

Five minutes were on the clock when Danilo headed the ball straight down Stefano Sorrentino's throat, and Thereau gladly stepped forward to glance home the rebounding ball.

Palermo pushed back with fervour and only the alert visiting goalkeeper Karnezis stood between Edgar Barreto and a quick-fire equaliser.

Sorrentino had little difficulty smothering Luis Muriel's speculative attempt for the edge of the area and Palermo soon streaked down the other end to test Karnezis through a left-footed rasper from Barreto.

The Sicilians were handed a way back into the tie in the 41st minute as Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu's late foul on Barreto conceded a penalty.

Dybala stepped up to the mark and put the ball where Karnezis had no hope of reaching it.

Nine minutes after the break, Palermo were awarded another spot-kick thanks to Guilherme's intervention on Dybala.

This time the Argentinian hotshot would not succeed, however, as Karnezis guessed right to make a fine stop from 12 yards that kept Udinese level.

The Bianconeri were clearly buoyed by the let-off and went close to restoring their lead as Allan tested Sorrentino with a low shot.

Palermo bit back in the 73rd minute with Dybala getting his head to a sweet cross from Andrea Belotti and nodding just over the bar.

Then, as the game entered its final 10 minutes, Dybala directed a splendid left-footed drive towards Karnezis' top corner but the ball veered over with the Udinese stopper beaten.

The Rosanero went all out for victory as time ticked away and, after Dybala rattled a post with a headed connection to a free-kick, Enzo Maresca drew one last impressive save from Karzenis.