Juventus have moved to within 90 minutes of winning the Serie A title courtesy of a 3-1 win over struggling Sassuolo this evening.
The relegation-threatened hosts almost broke the deadlock after just two minutes when Nicola Sansone fired an effort narrowly past the post.
They did take a shock lead just seven minutes later when Sansone slipped a pass through to Simone Zaza, who drilled his shot past Gianluigi Buffon at the near post, although the veteran keeper should have done better.
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The visitors went in search of an equaliser and almost got it midway through the half as Carlos Tevez squandered a fine opportunity by firing just wide from inside the area.
Claudio Marchisio also threatened before Juve got their goal, with Tevez picking the ball up on the edge of the area and smashing a shot into the corner.
Zaza almost doubled his personal tally to restore Sassuolo's lead shortly before half time, but he couldn't finish with only Buffon to beat.
Juventus completed the turnaround just before the hour mark as Andrea Pirlo dinked a pass over the defence for Marchisio to latch on to, and the midfielder steered his volley past the keeper and into the bottom corner.
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Marchisio came close again 10 minutes later as he let fly from just outside the area, but this time Gianluca Pegolo got down well to make the stop.
The visitors came within inches of adding a third in the 73rd minute when Tevez produced a snapshot from inside the area, but his effort crashed against the crossbar.
They wouldn't have to wait much longer to extend their lead, however, as Fernando Llorente produced a delightful piece of skill to flick Stephan Lichtsteiner's low cross home from close range.
That was how it stayed for the remainder of the match as Juventus moved eight points clear of Roma with just three games to play.
Barney Corkhill
