An early Christmas present for Doria, goals from Soriano and Ivan sink Palermo

Sampdoria ensured everybody associated with the club go into the festive season in happy spirits, as Vincenzo Montella’s men tasted victory 56 days after their last win.

This afternoon’s 2-0 victory over Palermo was an excellent team effort and allowed the Blucerchiati to leapfrog the Rosaneri in the league table, ending 2015 on 20 points.

Samp lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation with Antonio Cassano leading the line and began immediately on the front foot. Fantantonio released Roberto Soriano into a dangerous position, but the Italian international player couldn’t keep his effort below the bar. Another chance arrived shortly afterwards, but once again the home side failed to find the target.

At the other end of the pitch, Alberto Gilardino almost handed the Sicilian outfit a surprise lead but narrowly missed from a decent position.

The mini-contest between Fernando and Stefano Sorrentino that was a feature throughout the game also began in the first half. The Rosaneri goalkeeper saved three times from the Brazilian midfielder, including a stunning save at full-stretch in the top corner.

Luckily, the Marassi faithful didn’t have to wait much longer for their moment of joy. Eight minutes into the second half, Cassano put the ball on a plate for Soriano, who smashed it home from around the penalty spot. It was the first time under Montella that Samp had taken the lead.

Luis Muriel was brought on shortly afterwards and took no time in stamping his mark on the contest. His superb pass found David Ivan on the edge of the box in the 76th minute, with the young Slovakian coolly lobbing Sorrentino for 2-0 in front of the Curva Sud. Once again, the Stadio Luigi Ferraris exploded with delight and Montella could begin to celebrate his first victory as Blucerchiati manager.

Sampdoria played out the rest of the game without danger and return to winning ways at long last.

Sampdoria 2-0 Palermo (HT: 0-0)

Scorers: Soriano 53, Ivan 76.

Sampdoria (4-1-4-1): Viviano; De Silvestri, Moisander, Regini, Cassani; Fernando; Ivan, Soriano (Coda 87), Barreto (Christodoulopoulos 77), Carbonero; Cassano (Muriel 26).
Subs not used: Puggioni, Brignoli, Rodriguez, Correa, Bonazzoli, Pereira, Palombo, Silvestre, Rocca.
Coach: Vincenzo Montella.

Palermo (4-3-2-1): Sorrentino; Struna (Rispoli 80), Goldaniga, G. González, Lazaar; Hiljemark, Jajalo, Chochev (Quaison 57); Vázquez, Trajkovski; Gilardino (Djurdjevic 64).
Subs not used: Alastra, Colombi, Andelkovic, Bolzoni, Brugman, La Gumina, Toscano, Morganella, Pezzella.
Coach: Davide Ballardini.

Referee: Michael Fabbri (Ravenna).
Assistant referees: Lorenzo Manganelli (Valdarno) and Ciro Carbone (Naples).
Fourth official: Gianmattia Tasso (La Spezia).
Additional assistants: Daniele Doveri (Rome 1) and Leonardo Baracani (Florence).

Yellow cards: Vazquez 43, Struna 57, Fernando 63, Ivan 65, G. Gonzalez 90 and Djurdjevic 90+2.

Additional time: 2+4 minutes.

Attendance: Season-ticket holders 19,114 (total gate receipts €152,366), matchday tickets 1195 (total gate receipts €22,675).

Pitch surface: Average condition.