Juve take runaway lead in Italy

France midfielder Paul Pogba struck late as Italian Serie A leaders Juventus boosted their bid for a fourth consecutive title with a 1-0 win over Sassuolo that stretched their their lead over Roma to 11 points last Monday.

Juventus looked to be heading for their first scoreless draw at home this season after being frustrated by Sassuolo's defensive tactics throughout an intense encounter in Turin. But Pogba saved the Italian champions' blushes in the 82nd minute when he latched on to Simone Pepe's perfect delivery to beat Andrea Consigli with a dipping half-volley inside the 'keeper's near post.

Juve's 18th win of the campaign took their lead over misfiring Roma to 11 points with 12 games remaining. Roma, who suffered their eighth draw in nine games last Sunday's stalemate at Chievo, now look out of the title race and with Lazio and Napoli only four points adrift, they will be concerned about their chances of holding on to the league's second automatic Champions League spot.

Earlier, a late brace by Miroslav Klose put the icing on the cake as Lazio outclassed Fiorentina 4-0 to move into third place level on points with Napoli. Fiorentina travelled to the Stadio Olimpico hoping to build on their 2-1 Coppa Italia semi-final win over Juventus in midweek when Egypt forward Mohamed Salah hit a brace.

But Lucas Biglia broke the deadlock after just six minutes with a great volley from a poor clearance, and Fiorentina never recovered. Antonio Candreva doubled Lazio's lead from the penalty spot on 65 minutes after Brazilian winger Felipe Anderson was tripped as he ran into the area.

The goal appeared to tie up the points for Lazio but if there were any lingering doubts, Klose beat his marker to pounce on a loose ball a yard from goal, his diving header putting the match beyond Fiorentina's reach on 75 minutes. Keita Balde replaced Candreva immediately and the young forward's run into the area caused chaos among the Fiorentina defence, with Klose again on hand to pick up a loose ball to fire his second five minutes from time. —AFP