Italian Serie A: Chievo boost survival hopes with win over Genoa

Alberto Paloschi eased Chievo's relegation fears with two goals to lift the Verona outfit to a vital 2-0 triumph at Genoa on Sunday afternoon.

The Italian forward broke the deadlock at the Luigi Ferraris stadium early in the second half and then scored his second in the 68th minute as Chievo brought an end to their three-match winless run and climbed into 16th place - eight points clear of the drop zone.

The home side went into the contest on the back of two straight draws and in seventh place having not fallen to defeat in their previous five games.

Chievo, who lost midfielder Federico Mattiello for the remainder of the season to a serious leg injury in last week's goalless draw at Roma, made the brighter start.

The men from Verona got themselves in good positions to test Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin.

In the 13th minute, Valter Birsa fed Riccardo Meggiorini in the box but his diagonal strike was kept out by Perin.

Shortly after, Perin showed quick reflexes to clear Paloschi's bullet-strike from 20 yards.

A drive from Andrea Bertolacci in the 28th minute forced Chievo goalkeeper Albano Bizarri into his first save of the afternoon.

The visitors should have gone in front before the interval but Bostjan Cesar's powerful header from Birsa's cross went wide.

Chievo continued to dominate after the break and almost went ahead in the 46th minute.

Ivan Radovanovic spotted Paloschi in the area but his left-footed shot was saved by Perin.

Chievo made the breakthrough three minutes later.

Meggiorini sent Paloschi through on goal and the Italian forward struck a right-footed shot from eight yards to beat Perin.

Genoa reacted and in the 53rd minute, Berlolacci's left-footed volley went just wide of Bizarri's near post.

Chievo doubled their advantage in the 68th minute when Meggiorini's perfect cross from the left found Paloschi in the box and the striker beat Perin with a right-footed volley for his second goal.

The visitors defended deeply and held on for their seventh win of the campaign.