Juventus ease past Palermo

Juventus have extended their lead at the top of Serie A to three points by claiming a 2-0 victory over Palermo this afternoon.

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The hosts dominated the early exchanges and Claudio Marchisio lashed a fierce volley over the bar, before missing the target again moments later with an effort from just inside the box.

Fernando Llorente was the next to threaten for the Old Lady, but he was unable to get enough power on his header to beat Stefano Sorrentino.

On the half-hour mark, the visitors almost took a surprise lead when Franco Vazquez met a corner and directed his header just over the bar.

Juventus made them pay for that missed chance by taking the lead two minutes later as Carlos Tevez slipped Arturo Vidal into the box and the Chilean midfielder kept his cool to slot a low effort into the far corner.

The hosts continued to control the match and scored their second in the 64th minute when Llorente rose to meet Andrea Pirlo's corner and head into the bottom corner.

Sebastian Giovinco was close to grabbing a third for Juventus, but saw his low effort blocked by the keeper.

Giovinco had another chance to score in the last minute when his strike from range crashed against the post, but Juventus still eased to their seventh league win of the season.