Story highlights
Juventus go top of Serie A after 2-0 win over Novara
Simone Pepe and Fabio Quagliarella with the Juve goals
Udinese held 2-2 by Lazio to stay in third place
Valencia third in Spain after 2-0 win over Malaga
Juventus scored a goal in each half against promoted Novara to return to the top of Serie A Sunday.
The win saw them move above AC Milan, who had taken over at the summit by beating Siena 2-0 Saturday.
Udinese later missed the chance to draw level with Antonio Conte’s side when they were held to a 2-2 draw at Lazio and remain in third place, two points off the pace.
Juventus were not at their best against their regional rivals, but were in control after Simone Pepe scored in the fourth minute.
Fabio Quagliarella sealed the three points with the second goal in the 75th minute, but it was a frustrating afternoon according to Conte.
“We’re good at creating chances, but less good at taking them,” he told AFP.
“Playing like that means we take risks with the coronaries of the man on the bench!”
In other matches Sunday, Inter Milan continued their revival with a third straight victory, 1-0 at Cesena, to go fifth.
A headed goal from Andrea Ranocchia gave Inter the victory.
Francesco Lodi’s free kick put Catania on their way to a 2-0 victory over Palermo in the season’s first Sicilian derby.
Catania are up to eighth, one place behind Genoa, who defeated Bologna 2-1.
Bottom side Lecce led 3-1 but allowed Parma two late goals in a 3-3 draw.
In Spain’s La Liga, Roberto Soldado scored both goals as Valencia defeated Malaga 2-0 Sunday night to consolidate third place behind Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Valencia have 33 points, four adrift of Barcelona and seven behind leaders Real Madrid who crushed Sevilla 6-2 Saturday to guarantee they finish 2011 on top of the table.
