Juventus bolster top-four push with win over Spezia

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A first-half goal from Alvaro Morata was enough to give Juventus a 1-0 victory at home to Spezia in Serie A on Sunday as they tightened their grip on a Champions League spot.

In a game where both sides struggled for rhythm, Juve looked nervy at times but coach Massimilano Allegri praised his side's grit by winning ugly.

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"We needed to have scored a second in the first half. After the break we were tired, we came from intense matches and I couldn't make changes," Allegri told DAZN.

"But in order to reach our objectives, this team needs to win ugly and suffer and that's what we did."

The hosts, who went close on the quarter-hour mark through midfielder Arthur Melo, took the lead after 21 minutes when the Brazilian latched on to a poor clearance from Spezia goalkeeper Ivan Provedel, picking out Manuel Locatelli on the edge of the box before the Italian fed Morata, who netted his first league goal since December.

Emmanuel Gyasi and Kevin Agudelo were both denied by Wojciech Szczesny from close range after the break as Spezia sought a way back into things.

Morata, meanwhile, missed a gilt-edged chance to seal the victory in stoppage time at the end of the game as Juventus held on to secure the win.

Juve move onto 53 points in the fourth and final Champions League spot, where they sit six points above fifth-placed Atalanta, who have played a game fewer. 

Defeat is a fourth-consecutive for Thiago Motta's side, who are 16th -- four points and two places above Venezia in the third and final relegation berth.