Udinese blows chance to go top

Udinese missed the chance to go top of Serie A following a shock 2-0 defeat at Parma.

Jonathan Biabiany scored the opening goal with a close-range header from a Sebastian Giovinco corner after 58 minutes, and Giovinco sealed victory with a 76th-minute penalty.

The Friuli outfit could have returned to the top of the table with a victory, but their miserable run at the Tardini stadium - where they have not won in five years - continued.

Both sides were guilty of wayward shooting in the first half. Giovinco had three good opportunities for the home side, all of which failed to trouble Samir Handanovic in the Udinese goal.

Veteran striker Antonio Di Natale came closest to breaking the first-half deadlock with two minutes remaining, but his effort from the edge of the box went narrowly over the Parma bar.

In the second half Biabiany put the home side in front when he was left with an easy header from Giovinco's corner.

Di Natale then had a good chance to draw Udinese level when he shot from outside the box, but Antonio Mirante saved easily.

Parma extended their lead after 76 minutes when Dusan Basta fouled Biabiany in the area and Giovinco stepped forward to fire the penalty home and secure a much-needed win for the home side.

With four minutes remaining Cristian Zaccardo could have compounded Udinese's misery but his left-foot shot was wide of the post.