| Palermo received a much-needed boost with this victory, ending Empoli's three-match winning streak. This tie was too close to call from the outset, as the Sicilians were unlucky to lose 2-1 at Milan last week although it confirmed their inconsistency, while Empoli had won three on the trot. The big loss was Sebastian Giovinco, who sat out a ban along with Felice Piccolo, while Nicola Pozzi and Guillermo Giacomazzi were injured.
This was only the third Serie A meeting here and Palermo had never won. The first chance fell to the home side, as Amauri chested the ball down for Edison Cavani to drill off target. The deadlock was broken when goalkeeper Davide Bassi only beat an Amauri header into the path of Fabio Simplicio to tap in from six yards. Palermo doubled their advantage on 38 minutes, as a corner kick found Leandro Rinaudo's header, although the ball may well have taken a deflection off a defender's shoulder. Cavani should have made it 3-0 after he was sent clear by an inspired Amauri pass, but the Uruguayan fired straight at the goalkeeper. Straight after the restart Antonio Busce' failed to get his finish on target from Luca Antonini's cross. On the hour mark Empoli got their best chance to score, but Busce's effort flashed past the post. Amauri proved dangerous until the end, setting up Mark Bresciano and then testing Bassi from distance. | 
