Juventus 3 : 0 Palermo - Comfortable win for Juve

Posted Sunday, November 20, 2011 by PA

Juventus maintained their solid run of form in Serie A with a dominant 3-0 victory over Palermo in Turin.

Antonio Conte's team remain the league's only unbeaten side and rarely looked in danger of slipping up against an off-colour Palermo outfit.

Simone Pepe headed The Old Lady ahead after 20 minutes and Juve emphasised their superiority with further strikes by Alessandro Matri and Claudio Marchisio.

Juventus were quick out of the blocks and defender Giorgio Chiellini's close-range header went just wide from Andrea Pirlo's flighted ball in the third minute.

After eight minutes Marchisio's right-footed shot from just outside the box went wide of goal before Palermo forged a chance of their own in the ninth minute, Josip Ilic's left-footed shot being well saved by Gianluigi Buffon after Giulio Migliaccio's header on.

Palermo continued to argue their cause as Fabrizio Miccoli had a shot from distance which went just wide, before Juve stepped things up and took a 20th-minute lead.

Chiellini made progress down the right flank and when his cross evaded the visitors' defence, Pepe was on hand to head home.

Mirko Vucinic had a header go off target moments later before Edgar Barreto's somewhat speculative shot for the away side flew wide.

Vucinic managed another inaccurate attempt before the half was out as Juve headed inside a goal up.

Three minutes into the second half Juventus doubled their lead. Stephan Lichtsteiner did well to set up the chance and found Matri nicely for the forward to fire home coolly.

The hosts continued to push on, with Montenegro striker Vucinic leading a counter-attack but seeing his effort blocked by a Rosanero defender before Marchisio smashed the loose ball over from close range.

Vucinic wasted another chance before the win was wrapped up in the 64th minute, Marchisio capitalising on some cute play by the striker and firing into the bottom left corner.

Vucinic continued to press for a goal of his own while Palermo had late half-chances through Eros Pisano and a Miccoli free-kick.