Eder rescued a point for Sampdoria against Empoli in a 1-1 draw at the Marassi, following Manuel Pucciarelli's superb opener.
It was Antonio Casssano’s first start at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris for over five years, but it was Eder who stole the headlines after his equaliser from Manuel Pucciarelli’s stunning opener.
The Samp forward was played through by Roberto Soriano after only two minutes and put a delightful chip over Lukasz Skorupski, but he was a good two yards offside.
Eder rescued a point for Sampdoria against Empoli in a 1-1 draw at the Marassi, following Manuel Pucciarelli's superb opener.
It was Antonio Casssano’s first start at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris for over five years, but it was Eder who stole the headlines after his equaliser from Manuel Pucciarelli’s stunning opener.
The Samp forward was played through by Roberto Soriano after only two minutes and put a delightful chip over Lukasz Skorupski, but he was a good two yards offside.
He then got his second disallowed goal, flicking in Edgar Barreto’s drive, but he was even further offside this time.
The home side’s first real chance arrived after 15 minutes, when Mattia Cassani’s cross was met by Carlos Carbonero, who took a great first touch before firing into the side netting.
Riccardo Saponara set up Piotr Zielinski for the best chance of the half minutes before the interval, but the Pole’s effort from 18 yards was tame with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Empoli started the second half with more purpose, Zielinski powering a shot towards goal that was tipped wide by Viviano.
There were appeals for an Assane Diousse red card soon after, as the half-time substitute picked up a booking after 52 minutes before launching into another reckless challenge only a minute later. However, the referee was lenient and only awarded a free-kick.
The visitors then took the lead on the hour mark, when Pucciarelli took the ball just inside the box, spun on the spot and unleashed a curling strike into the top corner.
However, the Blucerchati soon responded as Fernando’s through ball was latched on to by Eder and the Azzurri forward drilled a low shot beyond Skorupski.
The game had really opened up by this stage, with chances falling at either end following a string of substitutions from either side.
Samp were presented with a glorious chance to get the winner eight minutes from time, as Eder’s cross to the back post found the completely unmarked sub Joaquin Correa, but his header flew over the bar.
The hosts’ other attacking replacement Luis Muriel then squandered another big chance on the 87th minute, as his snapshot from a knock down flew just wide with the goalkeeper stranded.
A minute later, Empoli’s Diousse was shown the red card that had seemed inevitable throughout the half after picking up a second yellow card.
Sampdoria continued to pile on the pressure with Barreto testing Skorupski from distance, but it was too little too late for Walter Zenga’s side.
Sampdoria: Viviano; Cassani, Zukanovic, Silvestre, Regini; Barreto, Fernando, Soriano (Correa 65’); Carbonero (Rodriguez 89’); Eder, Cassano (Muriel 62’)
Empoli: Skorupski; Laurini, Tonelli, Costa, Mario Rui; Zielinski, Maiello (Diousse 45’), Buchel (Paredes 86’); Saponara; Maccarone, Pucciarelli (Krunic 71’)
Ref: Cervellera
Sent off: Diousse (E)