Atalanta extended its unbeaten streak courtesy of a 1-0 win at strugglers Empoli in Serie A on Thursday.

Rafael Toloi's first-half goal was all that separated the two teams as Atalanta made it four league matches without defeat.

Empoli, which crashed to a third consecutive defeat, went closest to opening the scoring at the Stadio Carlo Castellani, with Alessandro Piu heading over from close range early in the match.

But, after withstanding the glut of early pressure, it was Atalanta which had the advantage when defender Toloi headed home his first goal for the club from Maximiliano Moralez's pin-point delivery.

Though Empoli continued to create chances, it failed to truly test Atalanta's defence, and the visitor almost capped its performance with a second goal via Boukary Drame late on. 

Atalanta occupies 10th position on eight points after five matches, four clear of 14th-placed Empoli.