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LEGA CALCIO: Lavezzi scores two in two\n minutes in Napoli victory

Napoli's Ezequiel Lavezzi, left, battles for the ball with Udinese's Gokhan Inler during their Serie A match at the San Paolo Stadium in Naples, Italy, on Saturday. PHOTO: AP

Ezequiel Lavezzi scored twice in two minutes to lead Napoli to a 3-1 victory over Udinese in Serie A on Saturday.

Lavezzi, who had not scored a goal in two-and-a-half months, scored in the 74th and 75th minutes. The Argentine also provided the cross that Udinese defender Cristian Zapata knocked in for an own-goal in the third minute of the match.

Napoli attacked from the start and hit the post twice before Zapata's own-goal.

Udinese striker Simone Pepe equalized in the eighth minute.

Napoli played with 10 men from the 36th minute after Paolo Cannavaro was expelled for a last-man foul. The teams were even strength again from the 60th minute after Pepe was ejected for a second yellow card.

Udinese remain in fifth place with 33 points, four points behind fourth-place Fiorentina and the last Champions League berth.

In Saturday's other match, Fabrizio Miccoli scored to give Palermo a 1-0 victory over Livorno.

Miccoli scored in the 76th minute with a shot from just outside the area which saw Livorno goalkeeper Marco Amelia partially unsighted by several players. Three of Miccoli's six goals this year have been scored against Livorno.

Palermo keeper Alberto Fontana saved a penalty by Francesco Tavano at the end of the first half.

Fontana had to make several saves in the first half, including a shot by Tavano in the 44th minute, but the visitors failed to create any real chances after the interval.

Palermo have lost their last three Serie A matches and have dropped down the table.

The win gives Palermo coach Francesco Guidolin a little breathing space after a streak of six winless games in Serie A and the Italian Cup. Guidolin had managed just two wins since taking over the team at the end of November for his fourth stint in charge. He coached the team in 2004-2005 and 2006-2007 when he was fired in April and rehired in May.

"After the penalty conceded to Livorno we could have fallen apart, but Fontana blocking the shot gave us the necessary calm we needed," Guidolin said. "I think we deserved to win this game."
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