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Tyrone Ebuehi fires Empoli past Sampdoria in Monday night's Serie A football.
In a game of many wasted chances, Tyrone Ebuehi scored the only goal to help Empoli beat Sampdoria 1-0.
The last game of this round of Serie A matches saw Empoli host Sampdoria at their Carlo Castellani stadium. In what was an exhibition of profligacy, Tyrone Ebuehi kept his cool in front of goal as he headed the ball cleanly for the only goal of the game in the 55th minute.
Empoli started the stronger team, but Sampdoria got the first proper chance of the game, with Mehdi Pascal crashing the crossbar with his header.
The game continued at a good pace, with both teams failing to convert their chances and half chances.
Empoli's win was as much Ebuehi's goal as it was Guglielmo Vicario's, Empoli's goalkeeper's, heroics.
The shot-stopper was active during the whole game and was available to prevent Ronaldo Viera from scoring in the 51st minute.
Only four minutes after Viera's heroics, Ebuehi connected with the ball from a corner, grabbing the first and only goal of the game for his team.
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Vicario was again available in the 83rd minute of the game to prevent his team from conceding.
Sampdoria thought they finally beat the Italian shot-stopper in the 8th minute of added time, but VAR intervened, ruling out the goal.
The win for Empoli takes them to 11th on the log, while Sampdoria continue to battle in the relegation places.
Tyrone Ebuehi comes up clutch
The first-half was a scoreless affair, and the second-half would have been the same save for Tyrone Ebuehi's intervention.
The Nigerian full-back rose highest in the 55th minute of the game, intercepting an aerial delivery by Razvan Marin, and redirecting it towards the opposition goal.
Ebuehi guided the ball just the right amount to beat Emil Audero in goal for Sampdoria.
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In a game marred by poor finishing, his glancing header is the only goal. It also happens to be his first goal for Empoli in Serie A.
Ebuehi was subbed in the 77th minute of the game and replaced by Petar Stojanovic, as it appeared that the Nigerian had picked up a knock.
Ebuehi proving a good signing
Empoli signed Ebuehi on a free transfer from Benfica's B team last summer.
He has not always started for Empoli, but when he does, he puts on really good performances.
Empoli would hope his goal today is the first of many, coupled with strong defensive performances.
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