Derby del Sud doesn't disappoint, unless you happen to be a Napoli fan. Pulsating game between southern upstarts is nail biting from start to finish. The Rosanero carve out a win after five straight draws to overhaul their Southern neighbours.

No away fans allowed at the Stadio Renzo Barbera; although it's likely that traveling supporters got tickets. The atmosphere in Sicily was good; both clubs have an intertwined history so the feeling at the stadium wasn't as taut as in other Serie A fixtures. The last time these two teams met in the top flight was in the seventies so both sets of the match is eagerly anticipated, with their closeness in the table; separated only by goal difference; much is at stake.

Colantuono, without Amauri or Miccoli gives the Uruguayan, Cavani a start up front, Brienza plays in the hole; his first start this season. The midfield of Diana and Caserta out wide and Simplicio and Tedesco in the middle is solid with the creativity handled by the Brazilian. Zaccardo, Biava, Barzagli and Capuano protect veteran Fontana. The formation is 4 4 1 1

Reja fields a strong side. Zalyeta and Lavezzi up front with a five man midfield of Garics, Hamsik, Gargano, Bogliacino and Savini with a three man defence anchored by Cannavaro flanked by the excellent Domizzi and Contini. Iezzo stays between the sticks. The formation is an attack minded 3 5 2.

The game starts well with both sides attacking at their first opportunity. Hamsik is the first to take advantage of the space in midfield, getting the ball after Napoli break up a Palermo attack, his shot is wild and high and he knows it.

Palermo are up next and do better, their build up is measured and patient and Garics does well to head behind Diana's cross at the back post ahead of the onrushing Brienza.

Zaccardo breaks up play and starts a break and the pacy Diana sees his cross cleared.

Hamsik finds himself in acres of space with a clear sight of goal but again wastes a good opportunity to test Fontana with a skied shot.

Napoli only half clear a Palermo free kick but the second clearance is used to break upfield quickly, Lavezzi gets into the left channel but his cross is stood up just behind the run of Zalyeta. Moments later the Uruguayan gets onto a ball in the Palermo area which squirts away from him to Lavezzi who forces an excellent reflex save off Fontana at the near post.

The game is free flowing, wide open with combativeness and skill being applied all over the filed. Napoli are shading the early moments.

Simplicio shows his dead ball skills with a wonderfully executed free kick form the right, the ball in is flat and pacy and Napoli do well to clear the danger with Cannavaro lucky not to give away a penalty for hauling down Biava.

Palermo comes forward and the bright starting Cavani forces a smart save from Iezzo. Palermo keep up the pace of the game with Cavani again, but this time Diana's cross is too high and Napoli race up the other end, a beautifully cushioned header lays the ball off perfectly for Hamsik, the Slovakian has time and space with only Fontana to beat but fluffs it high, again; the youngster hasn't got his shooting boots on today and looks mortified at his gross waste of a brilliant opportunity to take the lead, Fontana's smile says it all.

Lavezzi loses the ball which allows Palermo to exert themselves in and around the Napoli area, Azzurri managed to hang on for a brief but vital spell of Rosanero pressure, Tedesco's header finding the upright from Capuano's cross the closest to a goal.

Palermo increased their possession and started to get to grips with the five man Napoli midfield; Brienza; having a bright game; could only find the post after a sharp shot had the beating of Iezzo.

Contini goes off injured and the Paraguayan, Maldonado takes his place. The substitute's first contribution isn't so very good; a rash challenge on Brienza after being turned inside out by the Palermo forward, Simplicio can only hit the wall with his delivery.

As Palermo get handle on midfield Zalyeta drifts out of the game a tad, he isn't able to get much of the ball.

The referee is showing good sense with a couple of good advantages to Palermo and the Rosanero get intricate on the edge of the Azzurri area but the final ball is wayward. When the moves do break down it allows Napoli to get upfield, Bogliacino gets in a long range shot which is easy for Fontana. Another Napoli move sees Zalyeta and Hamsik combine well but the Slovakian's pass for Lavezzi is a poor one and easily cut out. Garics fires in a good cross which leads to a corner kick, from the set piece the ball finds Lavezzi who delivers a great ball into the box which Zalyeta can't bring down.

Savini brings down Diana as the winger's pace is causing problems down the right, another delivery from Simplicio unnerves the Napoli defence, this one manages to miss everybody and sail out at the back post.

Maldonado continues his inauspicious game with a soft foul on Cavani, Brienza gets the delivery over the wall but doesn't manage to get underneath the bar.

Garics shows his pace on the right but displays little control.

Simplicio gives the ball away in midfield and Zalyeta moves forward, he finds Lavezzi on the left and the ball in is well met at the back post by Biava, Fontana punches out the first ball in but Napoli play it back in straight away; the ball pinballs around in the area then falls to Lavezzi whose shot is safely gathered by Fontana.

Palermo break quickly and Iezzo does well to turn Brienza's shot around the post, his technique on the corner kick is suspect but Napoli clear the ball nonetheless.

The pace picks up in the final moments of the half as both sides look to score before the whistle. The quality is not able to keep pace with the action; Bogliacino firing high and Maldonado fouling Cavani for a yellow card.

Neither Colantuono nor Reja make any changes at the half.

Simplicio starts the second half fireworks with a stunningly well delivered free kick form the Palermo left; bodies and legs fly but Iezzo is grateful none gets a touch and claims the ball with relative ease. The pace is quicker then the first half and the ball is moving quickly through the midfield; which is less congested than the first half.

Diana's cross is half cleared by Cannavaro and the return ball in sees Domizzi and Brienza clash in the area, Rosetti waves away Palermo's penalty appeals.

Garics again fires in a poor cross and as the play goes end to end Brienza is called offside.

Garics's clearance comes to Caserta but the shot that comes back in doesn't trouble Iezzo.

Domizzi starts a move, some interplay with Lavezzi then the Argentinean lays the ball to Hamsik on the right, he finds Garics who cuts it back to Lavezzi, the delivery loops into the six yard box allowing Bogliacino to get his head to the ball before he gets a boot to the face from the Palermo defender. Fontana is beaten but Bogliacino is too busy getting treatment to celebrate the goal.

Simplicio is involved around the edge of the Napoli area and plays the ball out to new man Pisano, the ball is put back in and a great first touch from Tedesco allows him to get a shot off, Iezzo is unsighted but in the right position but the ball takes a deflection off Savini and loop wide of the Azzurri 'keeper for the equalizer.

The Barbera erupts and momentum has shifted to the home side. Palermo was behind for all of two minutes.

Iezzo holds onto Diana's shot as Palermo keep up their good attacking play.

Hamsik; still lacking good final touch today; can only play his return to Lavezzi behind the Argentinean; easy clearance for Palermo.

Lavezzi shows pace and determination to beat Pisano to the ball the substitute was shepherding out for a goal kick, Hamsik shows good skill and muscles past two Palermo shirts before the referee calls play back, the Slovakian is rightly incensed and gets a card for his remonstrations with the man in black. Hard to see what a foul was called for.

Simplicio and Pisano combine well but without support the ball comes back at Palermo, the Rosanero Captain handles the Lavezzi led attack with ease, robbing the Argentinean with a perfectly timed challenge.

Palermo pressure pays off with a corner kick which Napoli struggle with before Cannavaro steps up and clears behind, the ball in the second time is more telling, Iezzo is cut out of the game and an unmarked Tedesco arrives with a perfectly timed volley into the roof of the net. Shoddy defending from the Azzurri doesn't stop the celebrations from erupting around a jubilant Stadio Barbera.

Maldonado is lucky not to see a second yellow after a rash shoulder charge in front of the Palermo bench.

The game still manages to be vibrant, open and fast paced, neither side wants to rest and both teams are looking for a third goal or an equalizer. The Slovakian midfielder caps off his really bad day at the office with another fantastic and powerful run through the heart of midfield before he wastefully skies another shot when all the effort has carved out a nice scoring opportunity.

Napoli are stuttering and finding possession more difficult to use well, they lack penetration through the midfield, Gargano has dropped out of the game and the Palermo midfield is starting to dictate, exemplified with Zalyeta coming deep for the ball and promptly loosing it to Palermo.

Tedesco comes off to an ovation, replaced by Cassani and moments later Maldonado is withdrawn; he had a terrible game; for the striker Calaio. Nice to see Reja isn't shy about his attacking intent.

The next attacking play leaves the players confused, Garics; asked to drop deeper with the removal of Maldonado; cuts out a dangerous cross from the right. The referee points to the spot and Palermo start to celebrate the gift but the well placed assistant needs to overrule Rosetti - he clearly motions that the ball came of the Hungarian's chest and should just be a corner kick.

The kerfuffle dies down enough for the corner to come in and be cleared.

Garics does better at the other end with a good cross from wide which is well met by Barzagli, the follow up is blocked then Lavezzi fires a cross in which falls easily for Fontana.

Cavani and Brienza carve out a chance from a Napoli error and get a corner kick. But Napoli press more urgently then the home side, often leaving just two at the back as Cannavaro steps up. Fontana feels the pressure and is grateful his scrambling is able to keep Lavezzi out twice in quick succession. Hamsik finally gets a shot on target off a Garics cross but Fontana remains solid at the back and keeps the Rosanero ahead.

The introduction of Sosa for Zalyeta almost pays dividends immediately, the tall Argentinean gets onto the end of a Lavezzi cross but heads wide. Garics has a drilled, low cross cleared, Fontana claims ahead of Calaio, the traffic was still two way as Brienza is flagged wrongly for offside when through and clear on goal, Hamsik's effort is deflected into Fontana, Sosa heads along ball down but a foul is called on Domizzi. Napoli is desperate but Palermo hang on and a last gasp header from Cannavaro flashes wide after sumptuous ball skills from the diminutive Argentinean.

Colantuono will be relieved at the result, five draws on the bounce is almost a sacking offence in Palermo. The win; against tough opponents; will be well celebrated. The Rosanero played well throughout the game and dealt with Napoli's five man midfield for most of the game, any frailties in defence were handled well by Fontana.

Reja; in the other dugout; will be frustrated with an Azzurri performance that was slightly off, Maldonado had a nightmare and Hamsik was profligate in front of goal. Gargano didn't play as well as he can; although the quick Palermo play in midfield didn't help the Uruguayan. Some of the attacking play was good but an in form Fontana kept them out for the most part, the defensive lapse on the set piece was poor and this will be something Reja will work on.

Rosetti kind of grows on you. He has a stand offish demeanour which seems to work on the pitch. He allowed some very good advantage to be played and allowed the players to limit themselves. His consistency was spot on today though he did err towards the lenient; Maldonado was lucky to stay on. The conference with the assistant showed good judgment, the better placed man made the correct call. The foul he called on Hamsik wasn't an offence then he booked the Slovakian for dissent, not a good series of events.

Overall he did rather well.

Palermo:-

Fontana

Zaccardo

Biava

Barzagli

Capuano (Pisano 56)

Diana

Tedesco (Cassani 72)

Simplicio (Jankovic 83)

Caserta

Brienza

Cavani

Goals:-

Tedesco 56, 66

Bookings:-

Diana

Jankovic

Caserta

SSC Napoli:-

Iezzo

Contini (Maldonado 23) (Calaio 73)

Cannavaro

Domizzi

Garics

Hamsik

Gargano

Bogliacino

Savini

Lavezzi

Zalyeta (Sosa 82)

Goals:-

Bogliacino 55

Bookings:-

Lavezzi

Maldonado

Hamsik

Referee:-

Rosetti