Empoli 3 : 0 Palermo - Empoli see off Palermo

Empoli brushed aside fellow strugglers Palermo with a comfortable 3-0 victory on Sunday afternoon as they celebrated their first win of the Serie A season.

Massimo Maccarone put the hosts ahead in the fourth minute before team-mate Lorenzo Tonelli doubled their lead before half-time.

Manuel Pucciarelli wrapped up a wonderful afternoon for the Tuscan outfit by scoring his team's third in the 63rd minute.

The outcome in Empoli condemns Palermo to their third loss of the campaign and extends their winless run to six games.

Both sides went into the encounter at the Carlo Castellani stadium level on three points and looking for their first victory since gaining promotion to Serie A earlier this year.

The hosts dominated possession from the start and went ahead early on.

Maccarone tapped in a Mario Rui cross to beat Palermo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino and score his first goal of the season.

Empoli almost made it 2-0 shortly after but Sorrentino kept out Daniele Rugani's powerful header from Mirko Valdifiori's cross.

Palermo could have pulled level in the 16th minute when Francesco Bolzoni set up Andrea Belotti in the penalty box, but his right-footed strike was met by a fine save from Empoli goalkeeper Luigi Sepe.

On the half-hour mark, Sorrentino kept out Rugani's header from Valdifiori's cross.

Empoli doubled their lead in the 33rd minute when Tonelli got his head behind Valdifiori's assist and his effort beat Sorrentino.

Palermo should have reduced the arrears before half-time but Paulo Dybala's close-range attempt went just wide of the far post.

Empoli picked up where they left off after the re-start and before the hour mark, Verdi's bullet strike from 30 yards was saved by Sorrentino.

Empoli extended their lead shortly after when Valdifiori fed Pucciarelli in the box and he struck the ball towards the far post and out of Sorrentino's reach.

With two minutes remaining, Sorrentino denied Empoli's fourth when he came off his line to clear a dangerous ball with substitute Francesco Tavano ready to pounce.