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Serie A: Fabio Quagliarella scores hat-trick in Torino's 5-1 victory over Sampdoria

Fabio Quagliarella scores from the penalty spot
Image: Fabio Quagliarella scores from the penalty spot

Fabio Quagliarella scored a hat-trick as Torino spoiled Samuel Eto'o's Sampdoria debut with a stunning 5-1 win over the high-flying visitors in Turin.

The Italy forward scored twice in the opening half-hour to put the hosts on their way before completing his treble in the 65th minute to make it 3-0.

Eto'o, who joined Samp from Everton on a three and a half year deal during the week, came on in the 71st minute but Toro remained in full control.

Substitute Cavalho Amauri added a fourth in the 75th minute and, although Pedro Obiang pulled a goal back for Samp two minutes later, Bruno Peres wrapped up a resounding victory deep in stoppage time as Toro made it three wins in a row.

The triumph lifted Torino, who are unbeaten since November 30, up to 11th place in the Serie A standings, while fifth-placed Samp slipped five points behind third-placed Napoli after suffering only their third defeat of the season.

The home side started brightly and went in front in the 16th minute when Emilano Moretti fed Quagliarella in the box and he struck a right-footed shot from six yards past a helpless Emiliano Viviano in the Sampdoria goal.

Toro continued to press forward and earned a penalty in the 29th minute when Kamil Glik fell in the area following a challenge from Matias Silvestre.

Viviano guessed the direction of Quagliarella's spot-kick correctly but could not prevent the ball from going in.

On the stroke of half-time, Viviano was called on to make a save to clear Marco Benassi's goal-bound attempt.

Toro picked up where they left off after the re-start and struck again after the hour mark when Marco Benassi recovered a ball in midfield and set up Quagliarella in the box.

Quagliarella's diagonal shot beat Viviano to complete his hat-trick.

The Granata piled on the misery for Samp as Peres set up Amauri, who slotted home his team's fourth of the afternoon after his first attempt had been blocked by Silvestre.

Samp finally put a good move together in the 77th minute when Obiang got on the end of Lorenzo De Silvestri's pass and beat Toro goalkeeper Daniele Padelli with a beautiful back-heel.

Toro still found time for another goal, though, as with seconds remaining Benassi spotted Peres in the box and his right-footed effort towards the far post beat Viviano.

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