Roma closed the gap on Serie A leaders Fiorentina to a single point by easing to a 3-1 victory over Empoli at the Stadio Olimpico.

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Gervinho headed a tame effort straight into the gloves of the keeper and Mohamed Salah fired wildly over the bar, as the hosts dominated the opening exchanges.

Following a goalless first half, Miralem Pjanic opened the scoring for the hosts with a free kick from just outside the box that picked out the top corner.

Within minutes Roma were two goals ahead as Daniele de Rossi rose highest inside the box to head in from Pjanic's inswinging corner.

It was soon three as Gervinho broke clear of the defence and squared the ball to Salah, who kept his composure to fire high into the net.

Marcel Buechel then crashed a low strike into the corner to get Empoli on the scoresheet, but it was not enough to inspire a comeback as Roma took all three points.