Hamsik sends Napoli second

Marek Hamsik scored the only goal of the game as 10-man Napoli went second in Serie A yesterday with a 1-0 victory at Genoa.

Michele Pazienza was sent off late on for the southerners who were far from their best but produced dogged rearguard resistance to sneak the victory.

They will lose second place to either Lazio or Juventus – who play each other – today but will finish the weekend third, one place higher than they started it.

Genoa got about a strangely subdued Napoli and created the first chance of note on 20 minutes as Marco Rossi lobbed goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis but also lifted the ball over the bar.

The hosts were made to pay five minutes later as Hamsik timed his run to perfection to head in Walter Gargano’s free-kick.

Former Italy forward Luca Toni then caused panic in the Napoli defence with a deflected cross but Rossi couldn’t turn it in.

Genoa were again on top after the break and opened up Napoli with a delightful move but Omar Milanetto couldn’t beat De Sanctis.

Another flowing Genoa move gave substitute Giandomenico Mesto a chance but he blazed over.

Gergely Rudolf then crossed for Toni but from inside the six yard box he stabbed wide.

After Pazienza was dismissed for a second yellow card, Mesto lifted another opportunity over the bar.

Earlier in the day, Mauricio Pinilla came off the bench to inspire Palermo to a 3-1 win over Parma to bring the Sicilians to fifth and a point off the Champions League places.

Alessandro Lucarelli gave Parma a first half lead but Pinilla equalised after the break and then teed up Fabrizio Miccoli to smash home the winner before Cristian Zaccardo’s late own goal added gloss to the result.

In the day’s other early match Udinese also came from behind to win 2-1 at home to Fiorentina.