Sizzling hot! Ademola Lookman grabs 5th goal to down Empoli

Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has resumed normal service in front of goal as he got back on the scorers' sheet on Sunday afternoon.

The Nigeria international scored the second goal of Atalanta's 2-0 victory over Empoli, taking his league goals tally to five (5) for the 2022/23 Serie A season.

The victory puts Atalanta back on the winning trail after they lost their 10-game unbeaten run in last weekend's 2-0 loss to Lazio.

With Luis Muriel suspended due to his red card against Lazio, Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini named 19-year-old Rasmus Hojlund as Ademola Lookman's partner in a two-man attack.

Playing away at the Carlo Castellani, Atalanta had to make do with playing on the counter as Empoli enjoyed the majority of the possession (53%) in the first half.

However, this suited Atalanta as they went one goal up in the 32nd minute through Hans Hateboer. 

Teun Koopmeiners had the opportunity to double Atalanta's lead in the first half from the penalty spot but the Dutch midfielder missed his kick after Mattia Destro handled the ball in the area.

Super Eagles forward Lookman would make sure that that penalty miss would not come back to haunt Atalanta as he gave his side the assurance of a second goal in the 59th minute.

Lookman got on the end of a Mario Pasalic assist to secure the win and take his goal-scoring streak to four (4) goals in five (5) league matches.

The match ended that way with Atalanta moving back into second place on the log pending AC Milan's and Lazio's matches later on.

Ademola Lookman was a handful for the Empoli defence on Sunday afternoon with the Nigerian forward getting two (2) shots on target, seeing four (4) shots blocked, and missing one (1) big chance to score.

The Super Eagles star also made two (2) dribble attempts, layed on two (2) key passes, and put in one (1) long pass and one (1) cross respectively. 

Lookman was taken off in the 89th minute after the match was very much won with Italian defender of Nigerian descent Caleb Okoli brought on to see out the remaining minute plus added time.

Atalanta will return to action on Saturday, November 5 when they host league leaders Napoli at the Gewiss Stadium by 6:00 p.m. Nigerian time.