Juventus see off battling Empoli

Juventus moved closer to a fourth successive Serie A title with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Empoli.

Carlos Tevez's 43rd-minute strike following an indirect free kick and a stoppage-time goal from Roberto Pereyra proved enough for the Bianconeri to extend their lead over second-place Roma.

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The Argentine frontman was a threat to the Empoli defence from the start and brought an early save out of Luigi Sepe.

A clever turn by Tevez midway through the half saw him bamboozle three defenders before Sepe raced off his line to deny the ex-Manchester City striker.

Stephan Lichtsteiner also went close for Juve when he captialised on loose Empoli passing before firing wide of goal.

The hosts broke the deadlock on 43 minutes when Tevez smashed the ball home from an indirect free kick, given after Sepe was adjudged to have picked up an intentional passback.

The visitors started to enjoy more attacking opportunities after the interval and their first chance of note in the game came when Manuel Pucciarelli's low header was tipped away by Gianluigi Buffon.

Midway through the second period, Empoli had their best chance to get back on level terms when Pucciarelli was threaded through by Riccardo Saponara, but, as he tried to round Buffon, the Italian international keeper managed get a hand to the ball before saving a follow-up shot too.

Juve managed to weather Empoli's attacking bluster and, despite Arturo Vidal's late withdrawal through injury, Pereyra capped off another win for the defending champions in stoppage time after following up Tevez's parried shot.