Livorno have claimed a vital win in their battle against relegation from Serie A by beating fellow strugglers Sassuolo 3-1.

Leandro Greco opened the scoring inside the first five minutes for Livorno when he was picked out at the back post and placed a well-controlled volley into the net.

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The hosts doubled their lead soon after, as Paulinho picked up the ball outside of the box and fired a low strike into the bottom right-hand corner.

Marco Benassi scored a third goal for the home side midway through the half when he was slid through by Innocent Emeghara and powered a strike past the keeper.

The visitors quickly pulled one back when Domenico Berardi slammed a penalty into the top corner of the net following a foul by Francesco Bardi inside the box.

There were to be no further goals in the second half, as Livorno held onto the win and moved to within one point of today's opponents in the table.