A superb second-half performance saw Inter move second in Serie A by beating Torino 3-1 at San Siro.

Inter 3-1 Torino: Second-half comeback spares Handanovic's blushes


Inter scored three goals in 13 second-half minutes to recover from Samir Handanovic's howler and beat Torino 3-1 in Serie A.

Antonio Conte's men have seen their title bid derailed following a home defeat to Bologna and a draw with Hellas Verona and they were behind in the 17th minute of Monday's clash after Handanovic fumbled a corner at Andrea Belotti's feet.

However, Inter took command after the second-half restart, Ashley Young restoring parity before Diego Godin gave them the lead.

Lautaro Martinez effectively made sure of the points in the 61st minute, moving them above Atalanta and Lazio and into second place, eight points behind a Juventus side looking destined for a ninth consecutive title.

Handanovic's remarkable error gave Belotti the simple task of prodding the ball home from two yards.

Strong pressing from Roberto Gagliardini presented Martinez with the chance to level matters but Salvatore Sirigu thwarted the Argentine, with Handanovic then forced into a near-post save at the other end by Cristian Ansaldi.

Torino's lasted just three minutes into the second half, Young rifling home on the volley after Martinez headed Marcelo Brozovic's ball back into his path.

Young was to the fore again three minutes later as Inter completed the turnaround, his delivery following a short corner headed back by Alexis Sanchez and steered beyond Sirigu by Godin.

Sanchez played an instrumental role in making it 3-1 just after the hour as he won possession on the left flank and drove forward before laying the ball off to Martinez, whose deflected drive wrongfooted Sirigu and looped into the net.

Belotti then struck the crossbar with a header before Sirigu had to punch away a curling effort from Sanchez.

Antonio Candreva slid an effort wide with Inter players queueing up in the box and Sirigu was almost left red-faced as he had to scramble to stop the ball rolling over the line after Martinez blocked his clearance.

 

What does it mean? Conte's men show character

After letting leads slip against Bologna and Verona, Conte will no doubt be pleased with the character his team showed in fighting back from a deficit in the second half, even if it is unlikely to change the destination of the Scudetto.

Finding form in the final weeks of the domestic season will be key for Inter, who have a return to Europa League action to think about next month. Relegation-threatened Torino are still just five points above the bottom three.

Young and Sanchez star

Former Manchester United man Young and Sanchez, on loan from the Premier League club, were key to the turnaround, with each playing a hand in two goals and the latter displaying form that has been all too infrequent in his time with his parent club.

Goalkeeping gaffes

While Handanovic endured a moment to forget, Sirigu was also fortunate not to commit an error worthy of the blooper reel.

Key Opta Facts

- Inter have scored 16 headed goals in this Serie A, at least three more than any other team this term.
- Inter have scored their last 12 home Serie A goals with 11 different goalscorers; Young is the only player to score two goals in this period.
- Martinez has been involved in four Serie A goals in his last five starts in the competition (two goals, two assists).
- Sanchez has provided four assists in his last two starts in Serie A. For only his third time in the competition, he has provided two assists in the same game.
- Young has been involved in five Serie A goals in his last 10 starts in the competition (three goals, two assists).

What's next?

Inter visit bottom club SPAL on Thursday, when Torino host fourth-bottom Genoa in a massive game at the wrong end of the table.