Udinese have defeated Palermo 3-2 away from home to climb up to fifth in Serie A.

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 10th minute through Luis Muriel, who latched on to Gabriel Silva's pass and shot home from the left side of the box.

However, Udinese failed to hold on to their lead into the second half as they conceded the equaliser just three minutes before the break.

Thomas Heurtaux brought down Fabrizio Miccoli inside his own penalty box, and the veteran striker himself stepped to successfully convert the spot kick.

Udinese could have restored their lead just nine minutes into the second half when they were awarded a penalty after Salvatore Aronica handled the ball inside the Palermo area.

However, Antonio di Natale failed to find the target from 12 yards as Stefano Sorrentino made the save.

Nevertheless, Udinese were back ahead on 64 minutes through Gabriele Angella, who headed in Di Natale's cross.

Emmanuel Badu was unlucky not to add to the Bianconeri's tally five minutes later when he saw his shot come back off the post.

That came back to haunt the visitors as Palermo made it 2-2 nine minutes from time, Abel Hernandez firing home from outside the box.

There was more drama to come at the Stadio Renzo Barbera, as Mehdi Benatia scored Udinese's third and winning goal minutes later with a left-footed shot from just yards out.