Napoli keep hopes alive

5/9/2016 6:06:18 PM

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Napoli won 2-1 at Torino to boost their chances of qualifying directly to the Champions League while Roma celebrated Francesco Totti's 600th Serie A appearance with a 3-0 win over Chievo Verona on Sunday.

Gonzalo Higuain scored his 33rd goal of the season as Napoli moved back into second spot restoring their two-point advantage over Roma. Second place behind champions Juventus secure a spot in the group stage of Europe's premier club competition with the third-place team entering the playoffs.

Meanwhile champions Juventus lost to Verona 2-1. Napoli host Frosinone in the final round of Serie A fixtures next weekend with Roma visiting AC Milan.

Elsewhere World Cup winner Luca Toni scored a cheeky chipped penalty in the final match of his career to set bottom club Hellas Verona on their way to a surprise 2-1 victory over Juventus. Toni was substituted five minutes from time to an emotional standing ovation.

Juventus defender Alex Sandro who had conceded the opening penalty was sent off in stoppage time after receiving a second yellow card.

Sassuolo boosted their chances of a Europa League place as a late goal handed it a 1-0 win at Frosinone who were relegated.

Palermo moved out of the relegation zone by drawing 0-0 at Fiorentina with Carpi replacing the Sicilian side in the bottom three after losing a chaotic match 3-1 to nine-man Lazio. One of those two sides will be relegated after Udinese drew 1-1 at Atalanta to secure their spot in the top flight next season.

Jerry Mbakogu who scored Carpi's goal had two penalties saved while both teams also hit the woodwork before Lucas Biglia and Filip Djordjevic were sent off in the final seven minutes.

Also Genoa won 3-0 at Sampdoria in a local derby.

Napoli knew they had to win to leave direct Champions League qualification in their own hands.

They took the lead in the 12th minute when Marek Hamsik sent a through-ball to Higuain who stroked his effort into the far bottom corner. The Argentina forward is the first player to score 33 Serie A goals in a season since Antonio Valentin Angelillo in 1958-59.

Hamsik was again the provider as Jose Callejon doubled Napoli's advantage 10 minutes later.

Higuain also hit the woodwork before Bruno Peres netted for Torino to set up a nervy final 24 minutes.

Torino midfielder Giuseppe Vives was sent off in stoppage time following a second booking.

Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.