An early Lorenzo Tonelli goal has given Empoli a 1-0 win over Lazio in Serie A this evening.
The hosts made a bright start to the match, and took the lead after just five minutes when Tonelli rose highest at a Leandro Paredes corner to head past Lazio keeper Federico Marchetti.
Lazio responded well to going behind, as Sergej Milinkovic-Savic forced a low save from Empoli goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski, before the Polish shot-stopper denied Filip Djordjevic from outside the area moments later.
The visitors went on to dominate the remainder of the first half, as Lucas Biglia and Antonio Candreva both missed the target, while Skorupski prevented Marco Parolo from finding an equaliser on the stroke of half time with a comfortable save.
The Biancocelesti came agonisingly close to netting the leveller after the break, as defender Stefan Radu struck the crossbar with an effort from distance.
Lazio were in full control of the second half, but were still unable to find the net with Skorupski maintaining his clean sheet by keeping out both Djordjevic and Felipe Anderson from close range.
The visitors found the back of the net twice before the end of the game, but on both occasions the goals were ruled out as Miroslav Klose was deemed to have fouled Skorupski for the first one, while the German veteran was stood in an offside position from a free kick for the second.
Lazio spurned one final chance in added time as Parolo fired wide from outside the penalty area, but Empoli stood firm to secure the three points and condemn the Rome outfit to a fifth match without a win.
Stephen Topping
