Napoli 5 - 3 Torino: Dries Mertens scores four as Napoli see off Torino

Posted Monday, December 19, 2016 by PA

Dries Mertens plundered four goals as Napoli reached third place in the Serie A table with a 5-3 victory over Torino at the Stadio San Paolo.

The Belgian winger reached double figures for the season with a nine-minute first-half hat-trick before adding a classy fourth after defender Vlad Chiriches had scored to help suppress a Torino fightback.

Andrea Belotti is two goals beyond Mertens on 12 in the 2016-17 Capocannoniere competition after notching after the break, with Luca Rossettini and Iago Falque also leading the Granata's failed rally.

AC Milan's failure to beat Atalanta on Saturday night left third up for grabs, and Napoli wasted no time snatching it.

Mertens scored his first goal of a quick-fire treble by slamming Jose Callejon's pass home following a Napoli corner.

When Antonio Barreca brought Mertens down in the box four minutes later it was his invitation to convert from the spot, which he did coolly, and before 22 minutes were up he had his hat-trick.

The Belgian's third followed Joe Hart's fine save against Callejon, with Rossettini unable to make a goal-line clearance.

Torino's half-time team talk was clearly effective as Belotti reduced the gaping deficit in the 58th minute. The ball arrived at the young Italy striker's feet after an exchange between Adem Ljajic and Falque - the rest was easy.

The response was swift and deadly with Chiriches boosting Napoli three goals ahead once more with a left-footed finish at the far post.

Rossettini dragged Torino back into the contest with a 76th-minute tap-in after Jose Reina fumbled Ljajic's free-kick, yet the game belonged to Mertens and he notched his fourth with a sumptuous chip over Hart.

Falque's late penalty - awarded for a foul on Rossettini - soothed Toro's wounds but they have now lost three in a row.