Juventus' Carlos Tevez (L) celebrates with his team-mates Kwadwo Asamoah (R) and Martin Caceres after scoring against AC Milan during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the San Siro stadium in Milan March 2, 2014. (Photo: REUTERS)
Carlos Tevez struck a league-leading 15th goal for Juventus in a 2-0 win at AC Milan which gave the champions an 11-point lead over title challengers Roma on Sunday.
Roma sit second with a game in hand but are now lamenting a scoreless draw at home to Inter on Saturday which cost them two precious points and a possible first title since 2001.
Spain striker Fernando Llorente and Tevez had been rested for Juve's 2-0 second leg win over Trabzonspor in the last 32 of the Europa League on Thursday.
And despite missing attacking midfielder Arturo Vidal due to suspension, the Bianconeri soaked up the early pressure to dominate and firmly underline their status as favourites for a third consecutive scudetto.
Milan had to reshuffle with Mario Balotelli injured and midfielder Sulley Muntari suspended, meaning a second consecutive start for striker Giampaolo Pazzini, who wore a face mask to protect a nose injury.
Despite a positive start from Clarence Seedorf's men, the first real chance fell to Juve, with Stephan Lichsteiner's fierce close range shot blocked by the knee of 'keeper Christian Abbiati after Llorente fluffed his shot.
On the counter-attack, Gianluigi Buffon did well to stop Pazzini's first-time effort at his near post after Adel Taarabt's weighted delivery on the right.
Milan then spurned a golden chance for the opener when a great build-up between Pazzini, Taarabt and Kaka saw the Brazilian shoot straight at Buffon, with Leonardo Bonucci then clearing a Kaka shot from the rebound off the line.
Juventus regrouped and broke the deadlock two minutes before the interval after an error by Adil Rami allowed Marchisio to send Lichsteiner through to then cut back for unmarked Llorente to slot home from six yards.
- Tevez sent a warning -
Shortly after the restart, Tevez sent a warning with a low angled drive that Abbiati did well to smother, while Pazzini rose above the Juve defence to head Taarabt's long ball into the arms of Buffon.
Milan threatened again, Kaka crossing for Andrea Poli but after glancing his header wide the midfielder was left grounded after a clash of heads with Martin Caceres. Poli was forced off and replaced by Riccardo Saponara.
Juventus finally underlined their class when Milan made the fatal mistake of giving Tevez time and space on the outside of the area.
The Argentinian collected from the left, took a touch and unleashed a shot which looped over Abbiati before coming off the underside of the crossbar and into the net.
It was Tevez's 15th league goal this season and took him past injured Fiorentina striker Giuseppe Rossi into the lead of the league scoring charts.
Milan's only response was a strike by Urby Emanuelson which Buffon scrambled to parry, but the hosts were lucky not to be punished further on 87 minutes when Paul Pogba fired a low, angled strike that had Abbiati well beaten but spun off the outside of the 'keeper's upright.
In the other late game, a fifth-minute goal from Loik Cana helped visitors Lazio stun Fiorentina 1-0.
Lazio moved up to eighth with Fiorentina failing to close the gap to Napoli in the final available Champions League qualifying spot.
Napoli, who suffered their second consecutive draw when held earlier at relegation-threatened Livorno, remain third at 17 points adrift of Juve but are seven ahead of Fiorentina.
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