The viola left it until just after the start of the second half before the Montenegrin broke the deadlock, with two further goals coming from penalties deep in the game. Jovetić and then Gonzalo Rodríguez both stepped up to convert from 12 yards inside the final ten minutes.
Palermo vs Fiorentina, Final Score 0-3: Jovetić brace helps Viola to comfortable win
Stevan Jovetić netted twice as Fiorentina easily defeated Palermo at the Stadio Renzo Barbera, with Gian Piero Gasperini’s outfit sinking ever deeper into relegation trouble.
Tullio M. Puglia
If the scoreline didn't already look pretty damning, it doesn't even begin to describe quite how many Fiorentina could have scored. Within the first few minutes Vincenzo Montella's side had squandered numerous chances, with Albanian goalkeeper Samir Ujkani on impressive form to twice deny Jovetić early on.
As they have done throughout the season, Palermo counter-attacked reasonably well, with Luigi Giorgi and Fabrizio Miccoli both unable to capitalise on chances created. It is testament to the excellent performance of Ujkani that the scores stayed level at the break -- though I imagine he had a few things to say about his defence at half time.
After a couple more saves following the restart, Ujkani's resistance was eventually broken, when a threaded pass from Juan Cuadrado split the defence and was slotted home from point-blank range by Jovetić.
Despite Gian Piero Gasperini bringing on striker Paulo Dybala for defender Ezequiel Muñoz, Fiorentina goalkeeper Neto was largely untroubled, with his side comfortable in their lead. Inside the final ten minutes, a second goal signed and sealed the victory.
Massimo Donati brought Luca Toni down inside the box, with Jovetić stepping up to chip the ball in for 2-0. Adding insult to injury was a third minutes later, when Michel Morganella conceded a second penalty for a handball. This time it was Spanish centre-back Gonzalo Rodríguez who found the back of the net, as president Maurizio Zamparini started furiously leafing through his calcio contacts book to see who he could appoint as coach next.
Two of the three goals may have come from penalties, but the Sicilians were completely outplayed by their Tuscan opponents in this match. Currently occupying a relegation place, things may be even more serious at the Renzo Barbera than first thought. Fiorentina, meanwhile, move up to third and a Champions League spot.
Palermo (3-5-2): Ujkani; García, Donati, Muñoz (Dybala 63); Pisano, Barreto, Arévalo Ríos, Morganella, Giorgi (Kurtić 55); Miccoli, Brienza (Zahavi 78)
Fiorentina (3-5-2): Neto; Tomović, Rodríguez, Savić; Pasqual, Borja Valero (Fernández 81), Aquilani (Pizarro 70), Migliaccio, Cuadrado (Cassani 87); Toni, Jovetić
Goals: Jovetić 50, 83 pen (F) Rodriguez 89 pen (F)
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