HJK grasp lifeline at Torino's expense

• HJK score their first goals in their first win in Group B
• Torino concede their first goals in their first defeat of the campaign
• Gideon Baah and Valtteri Moren's second-half strikes earn victory 
• Defeat costs Torino top spot and gives HJK hope
• Next games: HJK v København, Torino v Club Brugge (27 November)

HJK Helsinki gave themselves a lifeline in Group B with an impressive second-half performance to defeat Torino FC 2-1 on a chilly night in the Finnish capital.

Goals from Gideon Baah and Valtteri Moren put HJK 2-0 up, and though Fabio Quagliarella pulled one back, the home side hung on to avenge their matchday three defeat by Torino and record their first win in the section.

Defences dominated during the opening half-hour before the game sprang to life, with Macoumba Kandji twice going close to breaking the deadlock for HJK. By way of a response, Juan Sánchez Miño then hit the post with a long-range effort for Torino.

HJK started the second half brightly without creating any clear-cut chances until the home crowd was finally given reason to cheer in the 60th minute. After a scramble in front of the Torino goal, Demba Savage collected the loose ball and rolled it to centre-back Baah, who forced a shot in from four metres.

Torino pressed for an equaliser, but HJK defended stoutly and struck again with nine minutes to play. Robin Lod's free-kick found Erfan Zeneli at the far post and he headed back across goal to Moren, who doubled the lead from close range. Quagliarella pulled one back for Torino in the final minute of normal time, but it was not enough to prevent the Italian side falling to their first defeat and dropping to second in the section.