Khouma Babacar brace inspires Fiorentina win at Sassulo

Two goals from Khouma Babacar helped Fiorentina to a comfortable 3-1 away win at Sassuolo which keeps them firmly in the hunt for a Champions League place.

The Viola took the lead on the half-hour mark when Mohamed Salah latched onto Babacar's precise through ball and scored his first goal for the club since his loan switch from Chelsea.

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Within two minutes, the Senegalese international doubled his side's advantage when he turned Salah's cross into the bottom corner of Andrea Consigli's net.

Sassuolo almost pulled a goal back just before the interval when Domenico Berardi's shot from the edge of the box rattled the woodwork.

Fiorentina added a third just after the hour mark as David Pizarro's corner was met by Babacar, who calmly slotted home past a helpless Consigli.

The Black and Greens gave themselves faint hope of a late comeback when Berardi headed home Francesco Magnanelli's cross with 23 minutes left.

However, the visitors were able to hold on for a victory that keeps them within four points of Napoli, but the Azzurri can move further clear if they beat Palermo this evening.