Serie A: Empoli beat Cesena in easy home win to end slump

Empoli halted a nine-game winless run with a comfortable 2-0 home triumph over Cesena on Sunday afternoon.

Massimo Maccarone set Empoli on their way in the 30th minute before Franco Signorelli made it 2-0 shortly before the hour.

Cesena could not find a way through as Empoli kept a clean sheet for the sixth time this season.

The outcome following Empoli's first Serie A victory since November 23 - and their fourth in the league this season - lifted the Tuscan outfit to 15th in standings.

While Cesena's 13th league defeat of the campaign left them 19th in the table, four points adrift of safety and brought an end to their two-match winning streak.

Empoli enjoyed a strong start and in the eighth minute visiting goalkeeper Nicola Leali had to be alert to keep out a powerful shot from Maccarone.

At the other end, Gregoire Defrel drilled a left-footed shot from 30 yards off target.

Empoli broke the deadlock shortly after when Elseid Hysaj set up Maccarone in the box and his left-footed shot towards the near post beat Leali.

The home side almost doubled their lead before half-time but Daniele Rugani's powerful header from Mirko Valdifiori's cross was kept out by Leali.

Cesena had their first shot on goal four minutes after the re-start but Empoli goalkeeper Luigi Sepe did well to clear Defrel's stinging drive from 30 yards.

Empoli doubled their advantage after 57 minutes. Mario Rui spotted Signorelli in the box and he struck the ball towards the bottom-right corner of goal and out of Leali's reach.

Cesena twice had the chance to reduce the deficit after the hour mark but Gabriele Perico's header from Franco Brienza's cross went wide, while - one minute from time - substitute Carlos Carbonero's 12-yard shot was saved by Sepe.