Torino 1-3 Juventus: Higuain brace helps to seal derby spoils

Posted Monday, December 12, 2016 by Goal.com

Torino 1-3 Juventus: Higuain brace helps to seal derby spoils
Andrea Belotti netted his 11th Serie A goal of the season, but the visitors hit back through two goals from their Argentine forward and Miralem Pjanic

Gonzalo Higuain netted a derby brace as Juventus extended their lead at the top of Serie A to seven points with a 3-1 come-from-behind win at city rivals Torino.

With second-placed Roma facing third-placed AC Milan on Monday, Juve took the opportunity to consolidate their position through their record signing's classy finishing and Miralem Pjanic's late effort.

Torino had been unbeaten at home in the league this season and showed their quality in Sunday's display, where they led through Andrea Belotti's header.

Joe Hart had already made one superb save by that stage, but he could not deny Higuain an equaliser as Juve looked to kick on before the break.

Torino 1-3 Juventus: Higuain brace helps to seal derby spoils

After half-time, Torino took control, probing the visiting back-line in the hope of stealing a rare derby win, but Adem Ljajic missed a great opportunity to earn his side the three points.

Instead, Higuain was the hero, slamming home eight minutes from time, before Pjanic added a third, with Torino now having beaten Juve just once in the past 21 top-flight meetings.

Mirko Valdifiori fired an early, dipping strike over the crossbar from 20 yards and Torino quickly established a threat on the counterattack, with Belotti frustrated when he appeared to be tugged back by Daniele Rugani as he ran clear.

Mario Mandzukic misdirected a header from in front of goal at the other end, before the Croatia international forced a smart low save from Hart with his close-range stab.

After 16 minutes, though, the hosts moved in front through a fine, flowing move.

Torino 1-3 Juventus: Higuain brace helps to seal derby spoils

Davide Zappacosta burst forward on the right and pushed the ball on to Daniele Baselli, whose cross from the byline was brilliantly steered inside the far post by the head of Belotti.

Hart was soon back in action as he held from Higuain's drive, but the Juve man found the net with his next sight of goal.

Profiting as the ball flicked up off Mandzukic's heel, Higuain instantly took control and ushered a cool finish beyond the advancing Hart from inside the area.

Although clear chances were harder to come by in the second period, those that did arrive initially fell Torino's way.

Torino 1-3 Juventus: Higuain brace helps to seal derby spoils

Marco Benassi's thunderous strike was blocked and Iago Falque volleyed the rebound wide from the edge of the box, while Baselli pounced on a loose pass to kickstart a break, but found his final ball equally slack.

Ljajic ran onto Falque's defence-splitting pass on the left, but he could not curl his shot inside the corner as Gianluigi Buffon stood rooted to the spot, with Torino attempting to hold on for a hard-fought point.

And that proved costly as Higuain struck again.

Holding off the challenge of a recovering defender as he collected Giorgio Chiellini's pass, Higuain spun to crash a shot past Hart.

The England goalkeeper saved brilliantly from Higuain in stoppage time, springing up to block the rebound, too, but Pjanic then swept in to put the result beyond doubt.