Empoli 1 - 3 AS Roma: Stephan El Shaarawy hits double as Roma see off Empoli

Posted Sunday, February 28, 2016 by PA

Stephan El Shaarawy scored twice as Roma moved up to third in Serie A thanks to a 3-1 victory at Empoli, their sixth league win in succession.

Roma again left disgruntled captain Francesco Totti on the bench after sweeping aside Palermo 5-0 last time out, but had no cause to regret it thanks to a brilliant display from El Shaarawy.

The 23-year-old opened the scoring with a stunning effort after just five minutes, picking the ball up in midfield and advancing towards goal before curling an exquisite shot into the top corner beyond the despairing dive of goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski.

A stunned home side attempted to get back on level terms and after Manuel Pucciarelli fired narrowly wide, they equalised in the most fortunate of circumstances after 22 minutes.

Roma goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny attempted to punch clear a dangerous left-wing cross from Mario Rui, only to see the ball cannon into defender Ervin Zukanovic and loop tamely into the net.

However, it took the visitors just five minutes to get back in front thanks to their own slice of luck as Miralem Pjanic drilled a free-kick straight into the wall, but saw the ball bounce straight back to his feet before firing through a crowd of players into the net.

Szczesny saved from Rade Krunic as half-time approached and Empoli pushed forward in search of an equaliser in the second period before El Shaarawy made sure of the win on 74 minutes.

After playing Mohamed Salah into the left-hand side of the area, El Shaarawy was on hand to turn home the loose ball after Skorupski could only palm Salah's low shot into his path.

A miserable night for the home side, who have now lost four and drawn four of their last eight games, was completed in injury time when Rui was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.