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Serie B continues to be as competitive as ever with the top ten teams now separated by a mere 12 points. Perugia and Pescara kicked off Matchday 23 on Friday as the Umbrian side collected a valuable 2-0 away win at the expense of Zdenek Zeman’s side. Christian Kouan’s fairytale continued as the 19-year-old Ivorian found the back of the net and has done so in each of his first two appearances.
Saturday’s slate featured eight simultaneous matches and Empoli provided the most emphatic statement with a 4-0 victory over Bari. Francesco Caputo (top scorer in the league), Alfredo Donnarumma (third-leading scorer), Miha Zajc and Nikola Ninkovic each netted.
Parma impressed with a 3-0 win in a fiery match in which the yellow cards flew and Novara were reduced to ten men. Alessandro Lucarelli, Emanuele Calaio, and Manuel Scavone each got on the scoresheet.
Palermo maintained their impressive form with a 2-0 win against Brescia. An early goal from Ivaylo Chochev in the third minute would have been enough but Eddy Gnahore sealed the deal in stoppage with a screamer from outside the box.
Venezia got back on track with a hard-fought win against Cesena. Pippo Inzaghi’s men had failed to secure three points in each of their last eight matches, but Alexandre Geijo’s strike in the 70th minute was enough for a 1-0 victory.
Carpi moved into 9th position with a 2-1 comeback win over Spezia in which all three goals were scored in an eight-minute spell. Jerry Mbakogu began the scoring (70’), Claudio Terzi equalized (72’), and Federico Melchiorri found the winner for Carpi in the 78th.
Foggia traveled to Virtus Entella and picked up three points with a 2-1 result. Andrea La Mantia scored for Entella in the 86th to set up a nervy ending, but Foggia were able to hang on and, as a result, leapfrog Entella and stay above the drop zone.
Historic side Pro Vercelli picked up a 2-0 win against Ascoli but both sides remain in the relegation zone. Luca Castiglia (26’) and Alfredo Bifulco (90+3’) found the back of the net for Vercelli.
Avellino and Cremonese battled to a 0-0 draw at the Stadio Partenio. Avellino will feel unlucky not to have taken three points from 5th-place Cremonese as they held the advantage in possession and chances created.
Frosinone and Cittadella meet in a top-six clash on Sunday before Ternana and Salernitana wrap up the action with a Monday fixture.
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