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Udinese held out to defeat Torino despite both teams going down to 10 men in a nervy encounter.
Both sides were in high spirits this Halloween night, as Udinese had won away to Lazio and Torino secured only their second victory of the campaign over Cagliari. David Di Michele thought he was returning from a three-month ban for a betting scandal in time to face his former club, but the Toro man was kept out a bit longer due to a technicality and Alvaro Recoba was injured.
The Granata had not conquered the Stadio Friuli in Serie A since a 1-0 result on October 7, 1984. Fabio Quagliarella and Nicola Ventola had early attempts, but Udinese lost Zapotocny to injury almost immediately.
The Friulani roke through on 25 minutes with Antonio Floro Flores. The corner kick found Quagliarella's header and that turned into an assist for Floro Flores' second headed finish. Torino had reason to complain, though, as Quagliarella appeared to foul Gianluca Comotto.
An Eugenio Corini free kick skimmed the far post, but Toro went into the half-time break with only 10 men on the field. Tommaso Vailatti foolishly kicked out at Inler in an off-the-ball incident.
Ventola wasted a good chance to draw 10-man Toro level after the restart, but Inler doubled Udinese's lead. The Swiss midfielder skipped past a challenge and unleashed a swerving right-foot rocket from 20 metres.
Udinese were also reduced to 10 men for Dossena's horrible tackle on Comotto, a second bookable offence. Moments later Toro got back into the game through Ventola meeting Malonga's cross with his right foot. Last week the Granata fought back from 2-0 down to hold Atalanta 2-2 with 10 men, so they did not lose hope.
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