Champions stay one point clear at the top of Serie A after own goal

An own goal from Palermo defender Edoardo Goldaniga was enough to secure a narrow win for the Old Lady.

PAUL POGBA netted his first goal for Man United this afternoon, but former club Juventus don’t look like they’ll need the French midfielder’s help to secure a fifth straight Serie A title.

However the Old Lady were made to work for their 1-0 win against a steely Palermo defence.

Only a second half own goal from defender Edoardo Goldaniga separated the two teams as the Sicilians restricted Juve’s attack.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side were below par for most of the game with both Mario Mandzukic and Gonzalo Higuain squandering simple first half chances.

The decisive moment came on 49 minutes from Dani Alves, whose 25-yard shot cruelly deflected in off Goldaniga’s leg.
Mandzukic had two further chances at the end of the game but young Palermo goalkeeper and fellow Croatian Josip Posavec did well to deny him on both occasions.

The win means Juventus maintain their one-point gap over Napoli at the summit of Serie A.

First-half goals from Manolo Gabbiadini and Marek Hamsik gave Napoli an easy 2-0 victory over Chievo and kept the pressure up on the Old Lady.

Maurizio Sarri’s side are yet to taste defeat and look a different prospect this year despite losing Gonzalo Higuain to the champions.