Pogba brace, Tevez restore Juve lead over Roma
Published on: Monday, November 24, 2014
MILAN: Ten-man Juventus restored their three-point lead on Roma with a brace of goals in either half from Paul Pogba and a Carlos Tevez strike underlining the champions' credentials in a 3-0 win at Lazio on Saturday.Juventus were down to 10 men after midfielder Simone Padoin saw red in the 70th minute when he was cautioned for a second time after a foul on Italy international Antonio Candreva.By then, the damage had already been done, Pogba hitting the opener in the 24th minute and Tevez doubling Juve's lead with a fine strike on 55 minutes.
ADVERTISEMENT
Pogba effectively put the match beyond reach for Stefano Pioli's men in the 64th minute and despite Lazio making two changes in the wake of Padoin's sending-off the hosts failed to capitalise on their man advantage.Juve's 10th win in 12 games leaves them top on 31 points, three ahead of Roma who clinched a 2-1 win away to Atalanta earlier in the day."It was our best performance of the season," Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri told Sky Sport."We have every reason to be happy. Coming to Lazio was never going to be easy."
ADVERTISEMENT
Lazio had dropped only five points in their previous seven games but Biancocelesti heads dropped after Pogba's opener—a fact coach Stefano Pioli highlighted after the game."We should have had a totally different reaction after the first goal," said Pioli. "But Juve showed what a great side they are."
ADVERTISEMENT
Napoli sit in third seven points further adrift but can reduce the arrears with a win at home to Cagliari on Sunday, when the highlight is the Milan v Inter derby.Both Roma and Juventus are in Champions League action next week, the title challengers away to CSKA Moscow while the defending Serie A champions travel to Swedish champions Malmo on Wednesday.Ahead of that challenge and amid ongoing injury concerns among his defence, Allegri deployed a 4-3-1-2 formation with Roberto Pereyra in the hole just behind attacking duo Tevez and Fernando Llorente.Although Andrea Pirlo made his return to the middle of midfield, Pogba was to be the main beneficiary.Pogba broke the deadlock following a classic counter-attacking move which saw Tevez set the Frenchman up to drill past Federico Marchetti from the edge of the box.Pogba spurned a chance to double his tally when a curling shot left Marchetti stranded only to come off the top of the far post.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
