Lights out for Palermo as home defeat to Torino is played out in near darkness

Palermo’s celebration of their 1,000th Serie A match was spoiled by Torino, who beat their hosts 4-1, and the floodlights at the Renzo Barbera stadium, which failed late in the game.

With the visitors winning comfortably, the referee decided that the match could be played out in near darkness as fans used the flashlights from their mobile phones to provide extra illumination.

After the Bulgaria midfielder Ivaylo Chochev put Palermo ahead early, Torino responded with two goals from Adem Ljajic and one each from Marco Benassi and Daniele Baselli.

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Torino climbed into the top four after the win, level on points with Napoli but ahead on goal difference. Palermo, who have lost all four home matches this season, remain third from the bottom.

Joe Hart continued in goal for Torino but could do nothing to prevent Palermo taking the lead five minutes in, as Chochev headed home Alessandro Diamanti’s cross.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest TV pictures show the players in action with only half of the stadium’s floodlights working. Photograph: BT Sport

Ljajic marked his return from an injury lay-off by scoring from outside the area, then doubled his tally with an angled shot after a mazy run inside the area.

Benassi made it 3-1 shortly before the break by finishing off a counter-attack and Baselli was set up by Ljajic for a volley shortly after half-time. Chochev hit the crossbar midway through the second half before darkness descended, as the game and Palermo’s party ended in farcical fashion.