Cesena still winless after Parma defeat

Goals from Gabriel Paletta and Alessandro Lucarelli secured all three points for Parma as Cesena's misery in Serie A continued today. Cesena remain winless this season and the result at the Ennio Tardini stadium marked their sixth defeat in nine games and piled further pressure on coach Marco Giampaolo. Paletta put the hosts in front before half-time after team-mate Sebastian Giovinco had seen his penalty saved by Cesena goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli. Lucarelli then doubled Parma's advantage with 19 minutes remaining. Cesena struggled to create any clear-cut chances in front of goal as Parma kept a clean sheet for the first time this term. Parma had gone into the contest looking to bounce back from their 4-1 midweek humiliation at the hands of AC Milan. They almost went in front in the fifth minute, but Paletta's header from Daniele Galloppa's cross went just wide. Shortly after, Antonioli kept out Giovinco's 12-yard strike towards the far post. Parma were given a chance to go in front in the 34th minute when Guillermo Rodriguez brought down Giovinco inside the area. Giovinco struck the spot-kick towards the centre of goal and Antonioli comfortably saved. Cesena's first attempt on goal did not come until 37 minutes into the game when Antonio Candreva's stinging drive from 30 yards was kept out by Parma goalkeeper Antonio Mirante. The hosts went ahead in the 41st minute. Cesena failed to clear the ball inside the area and Paletta struck from the heart of the area past Antonioli. Giovinco should have doubled Parma's lead early in the second half, but fired wide from a good position with only Antonioli to beat. With Cesena struggling to put a good move together, Parma continued to press forward and were rewarded shortly after the hour mark. Lucarelli was left unmarked at the far post and headed Cristian Zaccardo's cross past Antonioli. Parma held on for their fourth win without any further worries.