Tévez fires treble as Juventus extend lead

With nearest rivals AS Roma playing tomorrow, Juventus took the opportunity to open up a six-point lead at the top of Serie A thanks to Carlos Tévez's hat-trick against US Sassuolo Calcio.

Antonio Conte's team responded to the disappointment of their midweek UEFA Champions League exit by posting a 4-0 home victory over fourth-from-bottom Sassuolo. Tévez was the chief architect, scoring two first-half goals that sandwiched a Federico Peluso strike set up by the Argentinian's free-kick. The No10 then completed his treble in the 68th minute from Mauricio Isla's assist.

SSC Napoli were another side eliminated from UEFA's elite club competition this week and they too bounced back in style. Rafael Benítez's side traded five first-half goals with FC Internazionale Milano in Naples, where Gonzalo Higuaín, Dries Mertens and Blerim Dzemaili's efforts outweighed those from Inter's Esteban Cambiasso and Yuto Nagatomo. The resulting 4-2 triumph was sealed by José Callejón in the 81st minute. The Nerazzurri had Ricardo Álvarez sent off and missed a stoppage-time penalty through Goran Pandev. Second-placed Roma – now just two points better off than Napoli – are away to AC Milan tomorrow.

Replacing Inter in fourth position are ACF Fiorentina who posted a 3-0 home success against Bologna FC, with Josip Iličić, Borja Valero and Giuseppe Rossi all on target. Elsewhere, Miroslav Klose's double helped SS Lazio end a six-game winless run with a 2-0 triumph over AS Livorno Calcio in Rome. Torino FC stayed seventh courtesy of a 2-0 win at Udinese Calcio and UC Sampdoria made it four unbeaten with a 1-0 victory at AC Chievo Verona.