Juventus return to winning ways against Cagliari

TIZIANA FABI/AFP/Getty Images

---

Juventus moved four points clear at the top of Serie A as they returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory at Cagliari.

The Turin giants had drawn their last two games to see their lead at the top cut to just a point by second-placed Roma, but they never looked in danger in Sardinia from the moment Carlos Tevez stabbed home the opener after only three minutes.

Arturo Vidal curled home a fine second before the break and Fernando Llorente added a third early in the second half.

Luca Rossettini headed a consolation for struggling Cagliari, who are now without a win in eight league games.

Juve, without a win in December, got off to a flying start when Tevez followed up to tap home after the ball had come back off goalkeeper Alessio Cragno.

The hosts looked to respond quickly and a powerful header from Albin Ekdal forced Gianluigi Buffon into a sprawling save.

But they found themselves two down after only 15 minutes.

Patrice Evra's low ball in from the left was stabbed out of the area, where Vidal nonchalantly guided it into the far corner with the inside of his right foot.

Juve were home and dry when Llorente netted number three six minutes into the second half.

The Spaniard ran on to a long ball into the right of the area, spun his marker to create a shooting chance and then squeezed a shot under Cragno.

Cagliari pulled a goal back in the 65th minute when Rossettini rose at the back post to head in an Andrea Cossu free-kick from the right.

A comeback never looked likely, though, as the visitors continued to create chances, albeit without extending their lead.