Fiorentina 1-1 Torino

A late exchange of goals between Fiorentina and Torino ensured the spoils were shared from a dramatic 1-1 draw at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

It was a clash between two Europa League contenders - Fiorentina host Tottenham next week after claiming a 1-1 draw on Thursday, while Torino go to Spain locked at 2-2 with Athletic Bilbao.

But there were no indications of fatigue on Sunday, with both near full-strength sides happy to go all out for three Serie A points.

Khouma Babacar missed an early penalty for La Viola and it was not until the 85th minute that on-loan Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah notched what appeared to be the winner for the hosts.

Yet Giuseppe Vives, who was lucky to be on the pitch following a contentious first-half challenge, popped up to force the issue only two minutes later.

Fiorentina had applied heavy pressure in the early stages and when Marco Benassi fouled Milan Badelj, striker Babacar stepped up to take the resulting penalty.

The Senegalese took aim but Daniele Padelli guessed correctly.

Moments later, however, Fiorentina were demanding a second spot-kick and a red card after Vives scythed Josip Ilicic down on the very edge of the area.

Appeals fell on deaf ears and Ilicic could only blast his free-kick straight into the wall.

Torino soon got a foothold in the game and Bruno Peres came close to beating Ciprian Tatarusanu at his near post in the 20th minute.

Maxi Lopez then blasted straight at the Romanian goalkeeper and, on the half-hour mark, Peres came knocking again with an attempt that took paint off an upright.

Following the break Jose Maria Basanta - the goalscorer in London - made a brave clearance to deny Lopez from the centre of the Fiorentina box.

Ideas were in short supply as the second half grew older and both coaches decided to make changes to their attacking personnel.

Babacar made way for veteran striker Alberto Gilardino while Torino swapped Benassi for the more forward-thinking Alessandro Gazzi.

One switch paid prompt dividends, with Gilardino heavily involved in a rapid Fiorentina break that opened up space for Salah to finish underneath Padelli with a cool right-footed strike.

The Tuscans' joy was, however, short-lived.

Distracted defending allowed Torino the freedom of the park and, after Lopez's close-range drive was saved by Tatarusanu in desperate fashion, Vives whipped the loose ball home from the right.

ends