Torino 1 - 3 Juventus: Gonzalo Higuain double as Juventus secure comeback Turin derby win - 7M sport

Torino 1 - 3 Juventus: Gonzalo Higuain double as Juventus secure comeback Turin derby win



Posted Monday, December 12, 2016 by PA

Champions Juventus look set to end the year with a healthy lead in the Serie A title race after Gonzalo Higuain scored twice in a 3-1 derby victory at Torino.

A stoppage-time strike from Miralem Pjanic rubber-stamped Juve's 13th league win this term after 90million-euro man Higuain responded to Andrea Belotti's opener with a goal in each half.

The result boosts the Bianconeri seven points clear of Scudetto rivals Roma and AC Milan, who are joint second before going head-to-head in the capital on Monday night.

Juve then play host to Roma and visit lowly Crotone before seeing out a prosperous 2016 with a Supercoppa clash against Milan in Qatar just before Christmas.

Torino ended a 20-year wait for a Derby della Mole triumph by winning this fixture last season and with that pressure off their shoulders they were able to approach this meeting in a lighter mood.

The Granata were perhaps too relaxed in the opening stages, though, as Juve twice threatened to score the opener. Juan Cuadrado's cross helped Mario Mandzukic head just wide and, in the 14th minute, the Croatian striker forced an instinctive low save from English goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Danger averted, Torino nipped down the other end to set up Belotti. Shrugging off a challenge from Stephan Lichtsteiner, he met Daniele Baselli's assist with his head and bested Gianluigi Buffon.

Juve did not panic and before the half-hour mark they had equalised, Higuain collecting Mandzukic's pass before slipping into the area and steering a cool finish beyond Hart.

The hosts debated how to react over the break and they looked lively when play resumed, Marco Benassi turning Mandzukic into a makeshift defender with his powerful shot at goal on the hour.

Torino came even closer to grabbing a second when Adem Ljajic launched an Iago Falque pass a whisker past Buffon's goalmouth with the veteran Italy keeper stranded and rooted to the spot.

But despite all their endeavour Toro would fall behind in the 82nd minute as Higuain conjured up a goal from nothing.

The former Napoli striker was able to cannily resist the marking of Antonio Barreca as he received the ball at his feet just inside the area. Then, swivelling on the spot, he blasted home with his right boot.

Their spirits dampened, Torino succumbed to another Juve goal right at the death. Pjanic, on as a substitute only minutes earlier, confirmed the outcome with a tap-in after Hart had denied Higuain.



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