Luis Muriel settles scrappy affair in Udine

Udinese have registered a narrow 1-0 victory over Siena at home in Serie A.

Luis Muriel's goal in the first half proved to be the difference between the two sides in a largely uneventful contest.

© PA Photos

Siena dominated proceedings in the opening stages of the match but failed to create any clear-cut chances.

Alessandro Rosina had a good opportunity to put the Tuscan side in the lead on 27 minutes when he was in a one-on-one situation with Daniele Padelli, but he shot straight at the Udinese goalkeeper.

That miss came back to haunt Siena as Udinese pulled ahead on 36 minutes, Muriel shooting past Gianluca Pegolo after a good link-up play between Antonio Di Natale and Allan.

Rosina could have restored parity for Siena just a minute into the second half when he had only Padelli to beat from six yards, but he failed to make any contract with the ball.

Udinese did not create any meaningful chances in the second half and ran down the clock, as Siena failed to breach their citadel.