Napoli 2 - 0 Empoli: Napoli overcome Empoli to stay in touch with Juventus at the top
Posted Thursday, October 27, 2016 by PA
Goals from Dries Mertens and Vlad Chiriches downed Empoli 2-0 to help Napoli keep in touch with Serie A leaders Juventus.
Two defeats from three games had seen the Azzurri fall away in the race for the Scudetto but they followed up Sunday's 2-1 victory at Crotone with a confident display back on home turf.
Dries Mertens linked up with first-half menace Jose Callejon to rifle Napoli ahead in the 52nd minute and former Tottenham centre-back Chiriches plundered only his third goal for the club at the death.
Maurizio Sarri's men remain four points behind Juve following the reigning champions' 4-1 win against Sampdoria up in Turin.
The fact Empoli had not managed to score in their six previous games was no guarantee they would roll over at the San Paolo and Napoli made sure to turn the screw from the start.
Allan, Khalidou Koulibaly and Mertens all went close in the opening half-hour before Callejon wasted a great chance as he headed Lorenzo Insigne's accurate cross straight at Lukasz Skorupski.
The Pole would save Empoli on the stroke of half-time, twice keeping Callejon out from close range.
Napoli made the breakthrough seven minutes after the restart as Mertens received Callejon's deflected assist before slotting home.
Skorupski kept Jorginho's rocket out before Marcel Buchel enjoyed a rare effort for Empoli, but there was no denying Napoli their second goal.
With eight minutes remaining Marek Hamsik crossed to the far post where Chiriches was waiting for an easy headed finish.
Photos
More»
Meet Eva Murati, the glamorous UCL presenter
Friday April 26 2024
[PICTURE SPECIAL] Brighton 0 - 4 Manchester City
Friday April 26 2024
Meet Jude Bellingham's stunning girlfriend Laura
Thursday April 25 2024
Your Say