Akor Adams played the full 90 minutes as Venezia ended a three-game losing run with a 2-1 Serie A win over Udinese on Friday, in a bottom-of-the-table clash that only burst into life after the break.

It was Adams's 11th Serie A appearance for Venezia this season. His Nigerian counterpart Maduka Okoye was also on the pitch for Udinese, likewise making his 11th league outing of the campaign.

A second half that changed everything

The first half offered little, ending goalless. Toma Bašić broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute before Matías Moreno inadvertently levelled with an own goal four minutes later. Kike Pérez then struck a spectacular winner in the 65th minute to seal all three points for the hosts.

Venezia entered the fixture as the division's 20th-placed side, having collected just three points from their opening 10 games — one of the worst starts in Serie A history. They had scored only six goals all season and had lost nine of their first 10 matches before the game.

Manager Davide Nicola, a specialist in survival battles, was appointed in mid-October following the departure of Giovanni Stroppa. His only victory before Friday had been an upset win over Napoli on his debut, after which Venezia went three games without scoring.

Udinese in freefall under new management

Udinese arrived in equally wretched form — seven defeats in their last eight matches, including a 5-2 home rout by Roma. That slump cost Kosta Runjaic his job, and former Venezia head coach Paolo Zanetti stepped in to take charge, facing his old club in his very first game.

Udinese had managed just 11 goals while shipping 23 in their opening 10 league outings, leaving them 19th on five points before kick-off.

Despite the victory, Venezia — now on six points — remain in the relegation zone. Udinese stay rooted at the foot of the table on five points, with Zanetti's rebuilding task looking as steep as ever.