Fiorentina 2 - 0 Sampdoria: Salah inspires Viola

Posted Sunday, April 05, 2015 by PA

Fiorentina climbed above Sampdoria into fourth place in Serie A thanks to a 2-0 win over the Blucerchiati.

Alessandro Diamanti and Mohamed Salah's quick-fire goals in the second half earned Vincenzo Montella's men all three points at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, taking them also above Napoli in the standings, still six points behind third-placed Lazio.

Salah received a standing ovation when he left the field late on, having won over the Fiorentina fans since arriving from Chelsea in January.

Samp were straight on the attack and it took a fine intervention in front of the line from Gonzalo Rodriguez to block Samuel Eto'o's early effort.

The wet conditions were making things difficult for both sides with some slick areas mixed with boggy patches which made for unpredictability.

This favoured Fiorentina in the 18th minute, but Diamanti could not take full advantage as he sent his shot wide.

Salah went closer in the 22nd minute with a shot against the post while Mario Gomez was within inches of getting on the end of a Rodriguez cross, which Mathias Silvestre instead sent towards his own goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano, who was quick to react and clear.

Two goals in the space of three minutes just after the hour mark saw an improved Fiorentina get a grip on all three points.

Diamanti got the first with a shot which arrowed into the far corner of Viviano's goal before Salah showed exactly why he has been earning rave reviews for the Viola since arriving in the winter with a sublime goal.

Alberto Aquilani wasted a good chance to make it three as Fiorentina started to dominate proceedings, clearly keen to get fourth place back from their guests.

They succeeded with no further goals needed, even if Gomez would have liked to have got one for himself in stoppage time, but Viviano denied the German.