Udinese 0 : 2 Torino - Torino rise to seventh

Posted Monday, December 16, 2013 by PA

Torino continued their impressive run of form with a 2-0 win over Udinese at Stadio Friuli.

Second-half goals from Alexander Farnerud and Ciro Immobile proved the difference as Torino climbed to seventh in Serie A on the back of their third win in four games.

For Udinese the picture is far more bleak, with Sunday's result meaning they have now won just one of their last six league games and drop to 15th in the standings, four points above the relegation zone.

Antonio Di Natale, back in the Udinese line-up after a thigh problem, had an early opening for the hosts but fired over in what was to prove a rare chance in a listless first 45 minutes.

Torino also failed to fire in the opening half, Immobile spurning their only decent chance after being played in by Alessio Cerci's smart backheel.

The second half could only be an improvement on the first and just three minutes after the restart the deadlock was broken when Farnerud turned in from close range after more good work by Cerci.

Udinese dredged up an immediate response with Dusan Basta's well-hit shot from the edge of the area forcing Daniele Padell into a good tip over.

Substitute Nico Lopez also flashed an effort just over as Udinese continued to pour forward, but their pressing proved their undoing in the 75th minute when Matteo Darmian broke free down the channel and sent over a cross for Immobile to head home.

Di Natale might have set up a grandstand finish had his 83rd-minute header carried enough power to trouble Padelli, but Torino were instead allowed to see the game out in relative comfort.