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Palermo took a major step towards securing their Serie A status by beating Sampdoria 2-0 at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.
A first-half goal from Franco Vazquez and Nenad Krsticic's late own goal saw Davide Ballardini's men draw level on 35 points with 17th-placed Carpi, with just two games of the season remaining.
Sampdoria might have lost by a bigger margin had it not been for the performance of goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano.
Carpi's earlier 2-0 defeat to Juventus left the door open for Palermo to close the gap and the Sicilians took full advantage.
They had to resist two early attempts on goal from Samp striker Fabio Quagliarella before Vazquez grabbed the opener in the 19th minute.
A poor error from Andrea Ranocchia allowed Palermo's Argentina-born midfielder to dribble his way into a position to smash the ball beyond Viviano, and the home crowd duly erupted.
Five minutes before the break Michel Morganella nearly made it 2-0 when receiving a pass from the industrious Gilardino and forcing a fine reflex save from Viviano.
Palermo continued to turn the screw when play resumed and Viviano had to make a smart stop on Gilardino before Enzo Maresca's volley ended up in the Favorita stands.
Vazquez and Gilardino would both come knocking again as time ticked away and, in the 85th minute, the latter got his reward for a committed display.
The former Parma and AC Milan man rubber-stamped a vital Palermo victory by steering Vazquez's assist into Krsticic's legs and over the line.
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SMP
