An own goal from Daniele Padelli was enough to give Empoli a 1-0 victory over Torino in their Serie A meeting this afternoon.
The match was just three minutes old when goalkeeper Padelli inexplicably miskicked Emiliano Moretti's back pass into his own net.
Empoli almost grabbed a second goal just a minute later, but Padelli managed to get enough on the ball to tip Matias Vecino's strike onto the post.
Omar El Kaddouri then had Torino's first chance of the match with a powerful shot that was beaten away by Luigi Sepe.
However, it was the visitors who looked more likely to add a second goal before half time, with Piotr Zielinski seeing a shot pushed behind and Riccardo Saponara heading an effort against the bar.
Empoli took their lead into the break and they made a strong start to the second half, as Vecino saw his stinging drive touched behind by Padelli at his near post.
Torino gradually began to put pressure on their opponents and Cristian Molinaro drilled a shot into the side-netting after being slid through by El Kaddouri.
Kamil Glik then volleyed over the bar from a corner, before Fabio Quagliarella saw his free kick palmed to safety by Sepe.
As the game entered the last five minutes Quagliarella threatened again with a powerful shot on the turn that was tipped over by the keeper.
They created another good opening just moments later when Maxi Lopez was freed by Quagliarella, but he could only drag his shot wide of the far post.
It proved to be the last chance of the match, as Empoli held on to secure their place in the top flight for next season.
Alex Meyers
