Empoli 1-2 Roma: Tammy Abraham scores winner for Jose Mourinho's side in Serie A clash

Tammy Abraham was on target as AS Roma got back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory at Serie A strugglers Empoli. The Giallorossi were looking to put the disappointment of back-to-back defeats behind them and got off to the perfect start when Paulo Dybala curled a magnificent opener into the top corner on 17 minutes. Ad However, Roma began to sit back and were deservedly punished just prior to the interval when Filippo Bandinelli headed in a smart equaliser.

Serie ARoma off to winning start at Salernitana14/08/2022 AT 21:14 Mourinho’s side stepped it up following the interval and Abraham capped his return to the starting line-up with a close-range volley to seal the points 19 minutes from time. Roma could have added to their margin of victory but Lorenzo Pellegrini hit the crossbar with a penalty. Any Empoli hopes of salvaging a late draw were dashed three minutes from the end when substitute Jean-Daniel Akpa-Akpro was shown a straight red card for a high boot after the referee was asked to check the monitor by VAR.

The result means Roma move up to fifth in the Serie A standings, just one point off the summit. Empoli remain 16th and are still winless after six matches played. Roma will now switch focus to the Europa League clash at home to HJK Helsinki on Thursday before hosting second-placed Atalanta on Sunday.

Empoli visit Bologna on Saturday. Serie A table Serie A fixtures/results Talking Point Roma stop the rot but need to improve. After the embarrassing nature of the defeats to Udinese and Ludogorets, this was a much-needed tonic for Mourinho and his players.