Roma crushes Empoli for first win of Serie A season

AS Rome won its first match of the Italian Championship season on Sunday by crushing bottom-placed Empoli (7-0), including the first goal in its new colors from Romelu Lukaku at the “Olympico” stadium in the fourth round of the Italian League. Romelu Lukaku and Paulo Dybala looked like a powerful partnership in their first match together as they helped hosts Roma crush newly promoted Empoli 7-0 in Serie A. Dybala netted twice and Lukaku scored his first goal in his second match since joining from Chelsea. Renato Sanches, Bryan Cristante, Gianluca Mancini, and an own-goal from Alberto Grassi secured Roma's first win of the season in style on Sunday. Empoli have now lost all four of their opening matches without scoring a goal. Jose Mourinho's Roma got off to the best possible start when they were awarded a penalty following a blatant handball by Empoli defender Sebastian Walukiewicz. Dybala struck it powerfully into the top left corner to give his side the lead with less than two minutes on the clock. Renato Sanches headed in a cross from fellow new signing Rasmus Kristensen six minutes later for his first goal for Roma and the home side extended their lead further when Grassi deflected in Cristante's strike following good work from Lukaku. Dybala doubled his tally 10 minutes after the break and he also struck the crossbar moments later. Cristante ensured he got on the scoresheet in the 80th after an assist from Andrea Belotti, who also set up Lukaku with a delightful through ball two minutes later. Mancini then headed home from close range after Cristante flicked on a corner. Roma climbs to 12th place with four points after 4 rounds.