Juventus open seven-point lead in Serie A with win over Atalanta

Juventus extended their lead at the top of the Serie A table to seven points with a 3-1 win over in-form Atalanta.

The visitors arrived looking for their seventh straight league win but found the defending champions too tough to break down.

Juve made it eight wins out of eight at home as first-half goals from Alex Sandro and Daniele Rugani were followed by Mario Mandzukic's third goal in his last four club games after the break with Remo Freuler scoring a late consolation.

The result put a break on Atalanta's bid to storm into the Champions League places but they were under pressure from kick-off with Gonzalo Higuain and Miralem Pjanic having early efforts.

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Just 15 minutes in Sandro broke the deadlock with a low shot and, after Higuain was again denied, Rugani struck four minutes later when he converted Pjanic's cross.

Atalanta had chances to get back into the game in the few minutes either side of half-time but Alejandro Gomez had his shot blocked while Andrea Petagna's close-range effort was saved by Gianluigi Buffon.

They were made to rue those missed opportunities as Mandzukic struck just past the hour, Pjanic providing the assist again.

Eight minutes from the end Freuler converted Marco D'Alessandro's cross but it made little difference.