Sampdoria were forced to settle for their third consecutive draw after being pegged back by Chievo at Stadio Marc Antonio yesterday.

The visitors made a fine start when striker Eder fired his 10th goal of the season in the eighth minute after racing onto a fine through-ball from Carlos Carbonero.

But Roberto Inglese seized on a defensive error to equalise for the hosts in the 34th minute and almost put his side in front with a shot that whistled past the post just before the break.

The result leaves Sampdoria in ninth place in the Serie A table while 12th-placed Chievo now find themselves without a win in five games.

In the late kick-off, Empoli piled up the pressure on Palermo after they defeated the Sicilian side 1-0 at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.

Riccardo Saponara grabbed the all-important goal for Empoli eight minutes into the second half when he sent a low shot past Palermo goalkeeper Sorrentino.

The hosts tried to hit back and were unlucky to see an Alberto Gilardino effort coming off the bar.

Empoli moved up to 12th place on 14 points, three clear of Palermo who are just two points off the relegation zone.

Played yesterday

Chievo 1
Inglese 34;
Sampdoria 1
Eder 8;

HT: 1-1. Att: 9,200.

Palermo 0
Empoli 1
Saponara 53;

HT: 0-0. Att: 18,000.