Undefeated Juventus maintain momentum

Arturo Vidal's third goal of the season earned Juventus a 1-0 victory at Calcio Catania and kept the Bianconeri three points clear at the Serie A summit.

Hesitant and sluggish in their midweek UEFA Champions League draw against FC Nordsjælland, Juventus exploded out of the blocks in the early game. Andrea Pirlo inevitably led the charge, teeing up Vidal, whose venomous shot was claimed at the second attempt by Catania goalkeeper Mariano Andújar.

The visitors were rewarded with the goal their possession merited 12 minutes after the break as Nicklas Bendtner's low attempt was parried into the path of Vidal, who tucked in the rebound. The home side struggled to respond and any hope of a comeback evaporated when defender Giovanni Marchese received a second yellow card 23 minutes from time.

Keeping the champions in their sights are SSC Napoli, who beat AC Chievo Verona 1-0 thanks to Marek Hamšík's second-half effort, with Chievo losing Kamil Vacek to a red card 12 minutes before the final whistle. Third-placed FC Internazionale Milano also triumphed, posting a fifth straight league win with a 3-1 success at Bologna FC.

S.S. Lazio failed to maintain their winning streak, though, succumbing 2-0 at ACF Fiorentina, while their capital neighbours AS Roma lost 3-2 at home to Udinese Calcio despite taking an early 2-0 goal lead, Antonio Di Natale striking twice to seal the visitors' comeback.

Elsewhere, UC Sampdoria are without a victory in six after losing 1-0 at home to Cagliari Calcio, Parma FC consigned Torino FC to a 3-1 defeat, and the game between Pescara and Atalanta BC ended goalless.