Torino bounced back to secure a 3-1 win against Palermo at the Stadio Renzo Barbera on Sunday Afternoon.
An early goal from Alberto Gilardino for the home side was cancelled out by Ciro Immobile’s first half penalty. An own goal from Geancarlo Gonzalez made it 2-1 to the visitors before Immobile scored his second to finish off the contest with 20 minutes remaining.
The Rosanero couldn’t have made a better start, when inside three minutes, Gilardino connected with a Michel Morganella cutback and hit the ball cleanly into the roof the net.
The away side went close to equalizing within moments, when Immobile guided a close range header just wide of the mark.
The Sevilla loanee was gifted another chance in the 18th minute when he broke for Torino and turned well in the box before being upended by the defender. The referee pointed to the spot and Immobile coolly struck the ball into the bottom left hand corner.
Andrea Belotti should have put Torino ahead on two occasions, but he scuffed both efforts wide of the target. However, they did take the lead just after the half hour mark, when Geancarlo Gonzalez directed a cross past his own ‘keeper after good build up on the left.
Substitute ‘keeper Fabrizio Alastra managed to maintain the score at 2-1, making a string of fine saves to deny the Granata, early in the second half.
Intricate play from the home side left Ivaylo Chochev free in the box, but he couldn’t sort out his feet and the defenders recovered well to smother any opportunity for the Bulgarian.
Making his first Serie A appearance, Alastra was by far the best performer for the hosts but he couldn’t keep out Immobile’s second in the 69th minute. Again on the break, the striker cut in from the left, before firing home from inside the box.
Just minutes later, Daniele Padelli was forced to make a reflex save, keeping out Franco Vazquez’ thunderbolt. The Rosanero did seem to run out of ideas and didn’t threaten the goal again, despite all their possession.
The result moves Torino into 11th, whilst Palermo stay in 15th, just four points off the drop.
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com