Italian Serie A report: Empoli leapfrog Sassuolo

Empoli climbed above Sassuolo in the Serie A standings thanks to a 3-1 win at the Stadio Carlo Castellini on Sunday.

Riccardo Saponara was on target twice with Levan Mchedlidze netting the Tuscan side's other goal.

An own goal from Daniele Rugani brought Sassuolo level just after half-time but it was not enough to prevent them from falling to their fifth defeat in their last six games.

Sassuolo could have taken the lead when Daniele Croce's flicked header was turned behind by Luigi Sepe.

Less than a minute later, Empoli had their first chance with Federico Peluso denied by Andrea Consigli, who conceded a corner with his save.

Consigli had to be at his best again to deny Saponara as the sides went in level at the interval.

Saponara left Consigli no chance with his shot from 20 yards early in the second half which nestled in the far corner of his goal.

Their lead lasted only three minutes, though, before Rugani diverted Domenico Berardi's cross into his own goal.

Now with more life in the game, chances started to arrive at both ends and Empoli effectively killed the game off with two goals in as many minutes.

Mchedlidze, who had just come on moments earlier, converted Saponara's cross to give them the lead before Saponara chose the direct route to goal a minute later, beating Consigli inside his far post.

Simone Zaza could have brought Sassuolo back into the game almost immediately, but Consigli made a save which was worth a goal to his side, conserving an advantage they never let slip as Empoli extended their unbeaten run to eight games, giving them a sizeable cushion over the relegation zone.