Parma 2-1 Catania

Serie A newcomers Parma secured their first win of the season with a hard-fought victory over pointless Catania.

Parma began their first campaign back in the top flight with a creditable 2-2 draw away to Udinese last week while Catania were the victims of a 2-1 defeat by Sampdoria.

And the home side secured the points with goals by Daniele Galloppa and Alberto Paloschi with Marco Biagianti equalising in between.

A frantic opening saw Parma's Paloschi waste a brilliant chance just three minutes in, firing straight at Catania goalkeeper Mariano Andujar.

In the 10th minute a scramble inside the home side's box saw Parma defender Daniele Galloppa fail to clear, allowing Matias Silvestre a chance only for the left-back to blaze over from eight yards.

Parma took the lead in the 14th minute. After the ball broke clear Galloppa collected it and found himself in space, looking up and firing beyond Andujar with a low shot into the right-hand corner.

A minute later the Sicilians were level, however. Giuseppe Mascara blazed down the right before whipping in a dangerous cross, which Biagianti rose to head home perfectly.

In the 19th minute Antonio Mirante was called on to make a brilliant save. Alessandro Potenza fed Mascara and he unleashed a powerful shot from 20 yards which was only denied by Mirante's excellent reflex save.

Mascara was in the thick of the action and behind the visitors' best play.

In the 32nd minute he tried his luck again from the edge of the penalty area but Mirante produced a sprawling save to his right to save his side again.

Mirante was called on again before the half was out, parrying Gennaro Delvecchio's 30-yard shot easily.

Paloschi restored the home side's lead two minutes after the second half got under way. The former AC Milan youngster was quickest to react after Davide Lanzafame's shot was saved by Andujar.

On the hour Jonathan Biabiany made a great run down the right but his low cross missed all of his Parma team-mates.

Parma continued to press despite having a lead to preserve and McDonald Mariga's corner fell to Stefano Morrone, who volleyed nicely but Andujar was equal to it. Alessandro Lucarelli tapped in the rebound but was adjudged to have been in an offside position.

Substitute Francesco Lunardini saved his team when Christian Llama, also on from the bench, hammered the ball goalwards from close range after a frenetic goalmouth scramble inside the Parma box, only to see Llama manage to get in the way.

Striker Gianvito Plasmati had a chance seven minutes from time after Potenza's cross but the substitute comically missed from close range.

Potenza tried his luck as Catania grew increasingly desperate but his shot went just wide to the relief of the home support.