A superb double from Brazilian winger Felipe Anderson handed Lazio a crucial 2-0 win away to Torino on Monday night that lifted the Aquile three points clear of Napoli.
Stefano Pioli’s side recovered from a sluggish first half performance to record a win that put them within touching distance of rivals Roma thanks to another match-winning performance from the 21-year-old.
A mazy dribble and finish from Anderson gave the Aquile the lead midway through the second half before the Brazilian collected a Miroslav Klose pass and doubled the scoreline soon after.
Lazio started the stronger but struggled to break down a well organised Torino backline. The first chance of note arrived after 19 minutes when Stefan Radu fed Marco Parolo, whose shot from a tight angle was beaten away by Daniele Padelli at his near post.
The hosts were camped out in their own half, but came close to a shock lead just before the half hour mark when a powerful Amauri header was well parried by Federico Marchetti before Josef Martinez directed the rebound wide.
It soon became clear that the Granata had more purpose in the second half, as Bruno Peres cut inside onto his left foot and blasted a strike over from 20 yards just after the restart.
Lazio coach Stefano Pioli attempted to arrest the lethargic performance of his side by introducing a double substitution on the hour mark, bringing on the pacy duo of Keita Balde and Eddy Onazi.
The former almost immediately proved to be an inspired change, as the winger broke through on the counter attack minutes after entering play, but slipped at the vital moment and saw his finish go wide of the post.
The visitors found their breakthrough with twenty minutes remaining thanks once again to a moment of magic from on-fire winger Felipe Anderson. The Brazilian beat three defenders during a mazy run before slotting calmly past the rooted Padelli.
Having worked so hard to get the lead Lazio almost squandered it immediately afterwards when a 25-yard strike from substitute Matteo Darmian was superbly saved at full stretch by Marchetti.
Keita’s pace again caught out Torino and the Spaniard should have doubled the lead as Klose’s through ball put him through on goal, but the youngster could only hit the side netting with just Padelli to beat.
Anderson then showed how it was done with just over ten minutes left to play. Klose ran at the defence and fed the Brazilian on the left, who took one touch before finishing past the keeper via a deflection.
Giampiero Ventura’s side refused to lie down and Amauri again came close with a header that whistled over the top of Marchetti’s bar with the clock ticking down.
