Pogba's brace gives Juventus win over Lazio and top spot of Serie A

Pogba's brace gives Juventus win over Lazio and top spot of Serie A

Published Nov. 22, 2014 5:12 p.m. ET

Paul Pogba struck twice as Juventus continued their dominance at Lazio and moved three points clear at the top of Serie A on Saturday evening.

Lazio, who have not beaten Juve at home since 2004, struggled against the current champions.

Pogba put Juve on their way in the 24th minute before Carlos Tevez made it 2-0 10 minutes into the second half.

Frenchman Pogba got his second nine minutes later to complete the convincing away win at the Stadio Olimpico.

ADVERTISEMENT

Juve had Simone Padoin sent off in the 70th minute for a double booking but despite playing with only 10 men, the Bianconeri kept a clean sheet.

The 10th win of the campaign has given Juve a three-point cushion on Roma, whose 2-1 victory at Atalanta earlier in the day briefly put them level on points with the defending champions at the top of the table.

A fifth defeat of the season for Lazio has denied the Romans a chance to climb into third place.

Instead, they have remained in fifth spot but could fall further down the table by the end of the weekend.

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and defender Giorgio Chiellini went into the encounter with an extra bounce in their step after signing new deals with the Turin giants earlier this week.

Lazio dominated the early exchanges and had the first chance in the 11th minute when Stefan de Vrij's header from Lucas Biglia's cross went over the bar.

Shortly after, Antonio Candreva's drilled effort from the edge of the box went just wide of the far post.

Juve went in front when Tevez set up Pogba in the area and the ex-Manchester United player hit a right-footed shot towards the near post to beat Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.

Pogba continued to threaten and in the 29th minute his curled attempt hit the post with Marchetti rooted to his spot.

Before the interval, Candreva's free-kick was kept out by Buffon.

Juve increased the tempo after the restart and doubled their advantage after a fast break.

Claudio Marchisio spotted Tevez just outside the area and the Argentinian's right-footed effort beat Marchetti.

Lazio coach Stefano PIoli made a double substitution shortly after with Filip Djordjevic and Felipe Anderson replacing Miroslav Klose and Keita.

On the hour mark, Buffon was forced to palm over the bar Candreva's bullet strike from 25 yards.

Juve then made it 3-0 when a great play by Roberto Pereyra saw the Argentinian midfielder set up Pogba in the box and he cooly struck the ball past Marchetti..

A tactical foul by Padoin on Candreva earned him a second yellow card, leaving Juve down to 10 men.

But Lazio still could not find a way through.

share