EMPOLI, Italy (AP) — Empoli inched further away from the drop zone after beating relegation-threatened Cremonese 2-0 in Serie A on Friday.
Empoli moved 10 points above 18th-placed Cremonese, which remained three points from safety.
After an even first half, Empoli forward Nicolò Cambiaghi came off the bench and had an immediate impact, scoring 16 seconds after the restart.
He managed to get to the ball in a skirmish of players on the edge of the area and placed a low shot into the bottom left corner.
Cambiaghi almost doubled his tally late on but Cremonese goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi brilliantly kept out his effort from point-blank range. However, Fabiano Parisi headed in a rebound from practically on the goalline with two minutes remaining.
Empoli 'keeper Guglielmo Vicario pulled off fantastic saves and both sides also hit the woodwork late on.
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