Serie A: Empoli's Unbeaten Home Record Falls to Napoli's Late Penalty

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's penalty helps Napoli overcome Empoli 1-0, ending the hosts' unbeaten home record in Serie A.

Napoli maintained their leadership in Serie A with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Empoli, thanks to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's late penalty. The hosts, unbeaten at home prior, created early scoring opportunities but were ultimately undone.

Empoli's Sebastiano Esposito forced Elia Caprile into an impressive save with a well-struck volley, while Giuseppe Pezzella's effort was parried. Napoli threatened through Alessandro Buongiorno's header, cleared off the line by Ardian Ismajli.

The breakthrough came when Giovanni Simeone, introduced from the bench, sparked a sequence ending in Tino Anjorin being fouled by Matteo Politano. Kvaratskhelia converted the penalty with precision, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Scott McTominay's late attempt sailed over, but Napoli's solitary goal proved enough. Empoli's resilient display was ultimately unrewarded, as their unbeaten home record fell.

Stats:

• Napoli's 5th consecutive Serie A win
• Empoli's first home defeat this season
• Kvaratskhelia's 5th Serie A goal this term