Kolo Muani double helps lift Juve to much-needed win over Empoli

Randal Kolo Muani continued his fine start at Juventus with two goals in Sunday's 4-1 win in Turin.

France striker Kolo Muani struck twice in three minutes in the second half, with Dusan Vlahovic and Francisco Conceicao netting late on with Empoli down to 10 men, as Juve bounced back from going behind early and moved into Italy's Champions League positions.

Lazio are a point behind Juve and will reclaim fourth place if they win at struggling Cagliari on Monday night.

"The players deserved to win, they played with courage and as a team. They took on responsibility on the pitch," said Motta to DAZN.

"It's a strong, united group of players that's moving forward. Let's look ahead to the next match."

Thiago Motta's inconsistent side had been showered with boos and whistles after going in at half-time trailing to a fourth-minute header from old boy Mattia De Sciglio.

But Kolo Muani, who opened his Juve account on his debut in last weekend's defeat at league leaders Napoli, levelled the scores in the 61st minute when he brushed past Saba Goglichidze and confidently finished from close range.

The 26-year-old then put the hosts in front in fortuitous fashion three minutes later when he diverted Timothy Weah's wayward distance effort past the despairing grasp of Devis Vasquez.

Empoli went down to 10 when Youssef Maleh was sent off with six minutes remaining after picking up two bookings, the second for a wild challenge on Nicolas Gonzalez.

And Vlahovic, who was dropped for Kolo Muani and is tipped to leave Juve in the summer, lashed in his first goal since mid-December in the 90th minute before Conceicao rounded off the scoring in stoppage time.

Sunday's display was far from convincing however and met with muted celebrations at the final whistle as Empoli are a point and place above the relegation zone and have now collected two points from their last eight matches.