Stevan Jovetic's goal capped a good week for Fiorentina, enabling them to pick up three points at the expense of Palermo.
The Viola, who qualified for the Champions League this week with an away-goals win over Sporting Lisbon, started strongly and Jovetic hit the post in the fifth minute with a powerful shot from 20 yards - Alberto Gilardino was just unable to finish off the rebound.
Seven minutes later Jovetic's right foot shot from the edge of Palermo box flashed over the bar, before the visitors created their first chance through Fabrizio Miccoli - who had a spell on loan with the Florence club five seasons ago.
The game's decisive moment came in the 28th minute when Gianluca Comotto's curling cross was perfect for Jovetic to tap in from close range.
Gilardino had a chance to double the advantage six minutes later but he shot wide.
Two minutes before half-time the Sicily side had a chance to level the scores when Federico Balzaretti crossed for Edinson Cavani - but his shot from 10 yards was weak.
However, the hosts finished the half on top and Juan Manuel Vargas tried an effort from long range which was off target.
Danish centre-half Simon Kjaer came to the visitors' rescue in the fourth minute of the second half, clearing well after Juan Manuel Vargas' free kick had caused panic in the Palermo area.
Palermo's Javier Pastore shot over in the 54th minute, then midway through the second half Miccoli's free-kick from 20 yards was off target.
Four minutes later the impressive Jovetic went close with a powerful left foot shot for Walter Zenga's side - but the visitors kept pressing for an equaliser.
They came close in the 79th minute when Igor Budan's header from Federico Balzaretti's cross skimmed the bar.
And three minutes from time Budan produced a great run from the left and found himself one-on-one with home goalkeeper Sebastian Frey - who cleared with his right foot.
And Frey needed to be at his best in the 90th minute when he made a great save to deny Cavani and preserve the three points for the home side, to the relief of the majority of the 24,576 crowd.
Fiorentina lie seventh in the table after last week's 1-1 draw with Bologna, while Palermo - 2-1 conquerors of Napoli on the opening weekend - are 10th.
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