Serie A: Lazio move up to second with 4-0 victory over Empoli

Lazio leapfrogged Roma into second place in Serie A with a resounding 4-0 triumph over Empoli at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.

The Biancoceleste, who last week defeated Napoli to reach the Coppa Italia final, took a fourth-minute lead against the visitors from Tuscany through captain Stefano Mauri, while Miroslav Klose added a second in the 31st minute.

Antonio Candreva made it 3-0 before half-time and Felipe Anderson put an exclamation mark on proceedings in the 53rd minute to ensure an eighth straight Serie A win for Stefano Pioli's men.

Lazio cruised to victory, despite being forced to play a man down from the 58th minute after substitute Diego Novaretti was sent off for a second yellow card.

The winners have climbed one point clear of Roma, who drew 1-1 at Torino on Sunday.

The top two teams in Serie A will qualify directly for next season's Champions League.

Empoli, with just one victory away from home this season, have dropped to 15th place.

The Roman outfit went in front when Mauri nodded Luis Cavanda's cross past Empoli goalkeeper Luigi Sepe.

Lazio doubled their lead in the 31st minute. A perfect cross from Cavanda found Klose in the area and his header towards the bottom left corner of goal beat Sepe.

The hosts made their first substitution in the 40th minute when Novaretti replaced an injured Stefan de Vrij.

Lazio made it 3-0 one minute before the break when Candreva got past his marker and drilled a right-footed bullet from 30 yards past Sepe, who was rooted to the spot.

The home side continued where they left off after the re-start and got their fourth after Sepe could not hold on to Felipe Anderson's powerful shot.

The Brazilian midfielder was first to the rebound and smashed the ball into the back of the net.

Novaretti was then sent off following his late challenge on Empoli's Mario Rui but it did not hinder Lazio, who kept a clean sheet for the fifth time in their last six games and remained the hottest team in Italy.