Juve and Roma win to maintain status quo

Juventus and AS Roma both won to maintain the status quo at the Serie A summit with the Bianconeri still eight points clear.

Roma attempted to put pressure on their title rivals with a comfortable victory over AS Livorno Calcio in the day's early game. Mattia Destro opened the scoring in the sixth minute with his fourth goal in six Serie A outings before Kevin Strootman put the hosts firmly in control with his fifth of the season nine minutes before the break.

Adem Ljajić made the result certain in the second half and it was over to Antonio Conte's charges to beat US Sampdoria to maintain their eight-point lead. Arturo Vidal scored twice, the second from the penalty spot, either side of a Fernando Llorente strike to ensure Juve took charge in the first half despite Andrea Barzagli's own goal. Manolo Gabbiadini pulled a goal back for the Blucerchiati, but Paul Pogba put the game beyond doubt with a thumping effort from distance 12 minutes from time.