Empoli earn first Serie A win against Palermo

Empoli have ended their winless start to the Serie A season by seeing off Palermo 3-0 in this lunchtime's encounter at the Stadio Carlo Castellani.

Massimo Maccarone opened the scoring after just three minutes with a bundled finish from Mario Rui's centre.

The lead was doubled not long after the half-hour mark when Lorenzo Tonelli looped a back-post header into the far corner.

Three points were wrapped up in the 64th minute when Manuel Pucciarelli brought down a pass over the top from Mirko Valdifiori before firing across goal into the corner.

Maurizio Sarri's side are now unbeaten in four league games and climb into the top half of the table for the time being. Palermo, who remain winless, stay 19th.