A sensational strike from Lorenzo Insigne and a goal from captain Marek Hamsik cancelled out Fabio Quagliarella's penalty in a Serie A clash at the Stadio San Paolo.
Going well in Serie A, Napoli had the first good chance of the game, falling to Jose Callejon. Daniele Padelli got down well to stop the former Real Madrid player from breaking the deadlock. The home side were playing some fantastic one touch football in the opening stages and another long shot from Callejon had Padelli at full stretch.
Lorenzo Insigne opened the scoring as the game approached 15 minutes. One touch passing between Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon created space for Insigne, whose looping shot beat Padelli in nets. Napoli weren't letting their visitors have a moments rest, but the Turin side managed to force a fine save out of Pepe Reina when Fabio Quagliarella leaped highest after a cross from Cristian Molinaro.
Quagliarella's 11 game goal drought didn't last too long after that chance when he converted a dubious penalty awarded for a foul on Bruno Peres. It looked as if the ball was rolling harmlessly across the goal line while Faouzi Ghoulam lunged in. The tackle even looked like Peres had flopped over the defender's leg and fooled the referee. Credit must be given to Torino who risked everything by playing out from the back with Padelli dummying Insigne on the edge of his 6 yard box.
Torino's defence was poor for the majority of the opening half, and the match and they couldn't hold on until half time. Insigne found Marek Hamsik in between the centre backs and, despite the very narrow angle, found the back of the net via the legs of the Torino keeper. The dismay on the face of Torino coach, Giampiero Ventura, was a picture that summed up their half.
The second half started in a much slower tempo to the first with both sides not creating as many chances as the first half. 2-1 up, this didn't worry Napoli while Torino would have to throw more caution into the wind as the half progressed. Insigne had a great free kick that hit the cross bar and deflected over. It was a great strike and I don't think Padelli would have got to it had it been several inches lower.
Torino had their best chance of the half, when Maxi Lopez caught Kalidou Koulibaly napping at the back. The 31 year old Argentine surged into the box, but his squared ball was unable to find Afriyie Acquah. With 10 minutes left and still a goal down, Torino still looked unable to gain possession of the ball and therefore unable to throw men forward. Napoli were comfortable and it would be their own undoing if they were to throw their lead away. With exception to chances for substitutes Dries Mertens and Maxi Lopez, neither goal was significantly troubled in the closing moments of the game.
Bruno Peres continued his good form this match with him often beating his opposite number. The Brazilian has pace and trickery and I wouldn't be surprised if he moves to a club with a higher reputation in the future. Gonzalo Higuain had another good game in the sky blue of Napoli, and he will be key for Napoli if they are to win the Scudetto this season.
An excellent first half consisting of aesthetically pleasing football was succeeded by a second half of very patient and dull football. Napoli were content with the 2-1 victory while Torino didn't have the fire power to trouble their hosts.
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