Fiorentina cruise past Cesena

Fiorentina ended a four-game losing run in Serie A by easing to a 3-1 victory over lowly Cesena this afternoon.

The Viola started the match on the front foot and Josip Ilicic almost gave them the lead when his initial strike was saved, before his attempt from the rebound was blocked on the line by Gabriele Perico.

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Juan Vargas was next to threaten with a swerving effort from the edge of the box that was tipped behind by Federico Agliardi.

Fiorentina continued to dominate and they were awarded a penalty on the half-hour mark when Borja Valero was brought down inside the box by Gaby Mudingayi.

Ilicic stepped up to take the resulting spot kick and beat Agliardi with a composed finish into the corner.

The Viola then doubled their lead four minutes later when Ilicic collected the ball just inside the box before drilling a low strike into the far corner.

Mohamed Salah then curled an effort wide, before forcing the keeper to push behind a powerful strike, as Fiorentina threatened a third before the break.

At the start of the second half, Salah came close again with a low shot that was turned to safety by the keeper.

Fiorentina did not have to wait too much longer to find the net again, as Alberto Gilardino was picked out by Jasmin Kurtic to slot past Agliardi and open up a three-goal lead.

Cesena pulled a goal back three minutes later when Alejandro Rodriguez curled a strike beyond Neto and into the top corner.

It proved to be only a consolation, as Fiorentina held on to move back into the top five in the Serie A table.