DRIES MERTENS scored four past Torino and Joe Hart to become the first player in the Italian top – flight to score a consecutive hat-trick since 1974.
Napoli are third and eight points behind Juventus after their emphatic 5-3 victory over Torino and with their Belgium striker in the form of his life they will confident that they can catch Juve.
The last player to have scored a consecutive hat-trick before Mertens today was in fact a Juventus player, Pietro Anastasi back in May 1974.
As reported by BBC Sport, if Napoli are going to catch Juventus they will need their old striker Gonzalo Higuain to have a serious dip in form but it was his goal that beat other title hopefuls Roma in a 1-0 win.
Napoli supporters are still hurting from the loss of their talisman to rivals Juventus but will hope they can get revenge by catching them in Serie A and overhauling the points difference.
Its a huge second half of the season for Napoli with Real Madrid coming up in the last 16 of the Champions League...their reward for winning their group!
related articles
The Italians will need Mertens to still be in his hot streak of form if they have any chance of knocking out the holders and recent World Club Cup winners.
As for Hart he wont be happy to have conceded the hat-trick in just nine minutes since the first of the three was scored.
What now for Hart remains to bee seen but the manner in which Napoli went about their business would not have done his confidence any good.
Leave a comment