Empoli 2 - 0 Fiorentina: Empoli secure Tuscan derby victory to dent Fiorentina's Champions League hopes

Fiorentina's fading Champions League qualification hopes suffered another blow as Empoli won the Tuscan derby for the first time since 1997.

Manuel Pucciarelli and Piotr Zielinski were on target in a 2-0 win at the Stadio Carlo Castellani as Empoli ended a run of 12 Serie A games without a win.

Fiorentina twice had the ball in the net through Josep Ilicic and Nikola Kalinic, but they were denied by the assistant referee's flag on each occasion.

They remain two points back from Inter in fifth and are seven points adrift of third-placed Roma after their worst set of league results for six years.

Fiorentina have failed to win any of their last six games and it looks increasingly likely that they will have to settle for a place in the Europa League next season.

Paulo Sousa's side had the better of the first half with Cristian Tello's shot deflected wide before Ilicic saw his rasping effort ruled out for offside.

Ilicic also saw his 25-yard free-kick held under the crossbar by Alberto Pelagotti but Empoli struck four minutes before the break.

Pucciarelli seized on a loose ball and stepped inside Gonzalo Rodriguez before sweeping home his fifth league goal of the season.

Ricardo Saponara should have extended Empoli's advantage after the break but fired wide with the goal at his mercy.

Empoli secured their first derby win at home since 1986 three minutes from time when Zielinski, the midfielder on loan from Udinese, made no mistake when Pucciarelli's saved effort fell into his path.