Juventus back on top after beating Palermo

Juventus moved to the top of the Serie A table on goal difference after handing US Città di Palermo a 3-0 defeat, as Udinese Calcio missed the chance to return to the summit via a 2-0 loss at Parma FC.

Simone Pepe headed Juve in front after 20 minutes against sixth-placed Palermo and Alessandro Matri doubled the lead shortly after the restart from a tight angle, before Claudio Marchisio rounded off the scoring on 65 minutes. The win took Antonio Conte's side ahead of S.S. Lazio on goal difference, with the teams due to meet next weekend and Juve having played one match fewer.

Udinese lie a point back in fourth after they suffered only their second reverse this term, Jonathan Biabiany nodding Parma ahead with 58 minutes gone and a Sebastian Giovinco penalty then sealing the result. AS Roma overcame struggling US Lecce 2-1 to go fifth, meanwhile, Miralem Pjanić and Fernando Gago scoring either side of half-time to leave the Giallorossi five points behind Juve.

Elsewhere, Marco Parolo struck a superb 84th-minute winner from distance to hand bottom side AC Cesena their first victory of the season, 1-0 at local rivals Bologna FC. There was late drama between Genoa CFC and Novara Calcio too, as Miguel Veloso gave hosts Genoa a 1-0 win with four minutes left in a match which both teams ended with ten men. Germán Denis scored twice as Atalanta BC drew 2-2 at AC Siena and AC Chievo Verona prevailed 2-1 at Calcio Catania.