Tyronne Ebuehi’s assist secure late draw for Empoli against Sampdoria

The 27-year-old wing-back was handed a starting role by Paolo Zanetti and he grabbed the rare opportunity with both hands as he repaid the manager with a crucial late-minute assist to keep them safe from the relegation.

The hosts looked positive in the early stages and were rewarded in the 34th minute when a determined run from Fabio Quagliarella on the left wing allowed him to cross the ball into a packed Empoli penalty area, where Zanoli was waiting to strike the ball past Guglielmo Vicario, giving the home side a 1-0 lead.

Stankovic’s side carried their momentum into the second half, limiting Empoli to brief bursts of attacks, but as the match wore in things became increasingly tense at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Empoli refused to bow down in the final stages and see their efforts finally rewarded in the 93rd minute, when Roberto Piccoli latched onto a bouncing Tyronne Ebuehi cross to poke it past Nicola Ravaglia, drawing the away side level.

Adding to his two assists in Empoli’s 2-1 win over Salernitana on Monday to end the Granata’s 10-match unbeaten run, Ebuehi continues to impress with three matches to play.

The draw took Empoli nine points above the drop zone on 39 points