In the game of the Easter weekend Napoli beat Torino 5-3 as Blerim Dzemaili hit a stunning hat-trick and Edinson Cavani netted a late brace in a thrilling game in Turin. Napoli’s star man Cavani was late in returning from International duty meaning he would start on the bench and goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis was injured so Antonio Rosati was handed a rare start in goal for Napoli.

The match started with great intensity with both sides having early chances and it took only 10 minutes for the deadlock to be broken. With everyone waiting inside the box for a corner to be delivered the ball was instead played to the edge of the area where the former Torino man Dzemaili ran onto it and struck an unstoppable shot through the crowd of players and into the net.

Torino equalised after Napoli poorly defended a corner and failed to clear their lines with the ball eventually falling for Paolo Barreto to force the ball home past the keeper and Paolo Cannavaro who tried in vain to keep it out. Shortly before half-time Napoli were awarded a penalty as Christian Maggio was fouled as he made his way into the box after a great pass by Marek Hamsik. Since regular penalty taker Cavani was on the bench Hamsik took the responsibility to step up to the spot however his effort was saved by Torino keeper Jean-Francois Gillet who palmed the ball to safety.

Into the second half and Napoli regained the lead just over a minute after the break and it was that man Dzemaili again who struck the ball into the bottom corner after Hamsik had pulled it back to the edge of the box for the onrushing midfielder.

Torino were then awarded a penalty of their own as after coming on as a substitute Cavani handled the ball inside the area and Jonathas stepped up to slide the ball into the corner to bring the Turin side level. Only a few minutes later Torino then took the lead after Riccardo Meggiorini robbed Miguel Angel Britos of possession then rounded the keeper and slotted home to send the home fans wild.

However only 2 minutes later Napoli were level as Dzemaili completed his hat-trick with a great strike from the edge of the box and moments later Cavani gave his side the lead again as he struck an incredible free-kick into the top corner of the net.

Cavani then struck again in the final minute by glancing a great header into the corner of the net to ensure his side left Turin with all 3 points and regained 2nd place in the table ahead of Milan.

Match Lineups

Torino: Gillet; D’Ambrosio (sub’d 57′ Masiello), Rodríguez, Glik, Darmian; Santana, Gazzi, Basha, Cerci; Vives (sub’d 56′ Meggiorini), Barreto (sub’d 66′ Jonathas)

Napoli: Rosati; Gamberini, Britos (sub’d 79′ Armero), Cannavaro; Zúñiga, Džemaili (sub’d 88′ Rolando), Behrami, Maggio; Hamšík; Pandev, Insigne (sub’d 65′ Cavani)