Rate it!

2 votes

A wonder-goal from Momo Sissoko helped Juventus to a 2-0 win at Palermo that put Claudio Ranieri's side nine points behind Serie A leaders Internazionale.

Mali's former Liverpool midfielder ran from just inside the opposition half, beat several defenders and launched an unstoppable shot past Marco Amelia to score arguably the finest goal of his career to date.

David Trezeguet doubled their lead with 11 minutes remaining as Palermo piled men forward looking for an equaliser.

The hosts were more than a match for Juve but were unable to find a way past Gianluigi Buffon, who made several important stops to keep his side ahead.

An end-to-end first half started and finished with great chances for the hosts: Fabrizio Miccoli forced a stop from Buffon in the second minute while Edison Cavani fired just wide in the 44th.

In between there were plenty of opportunities for both sides. Miccoli hit the bar with a first-time shot on four minutes and team-mate Fabio Simplicio should have scored with the rebound but his header was saved by Buffon.

For Juventus, Trezeguet and Pavel Nedved were denied by good keeping from Marco Amelia, while Vincenzo Iaquinta led the line powerfully but could only muster one effort on target that was well-saved by the former Livorno man.

Juventus took the lead when Sissoko followed up an unlikely solo dribble from halfway with a rasping finish into the roof of the net for what will be one of the goals of the season.

The second half was a similarly intense affair, heavy on entertainment and quality both in attack and defence.

Palermo had a good penalty claim rejected by referee Paolo Tagliavento when Nicola Legrottaglie handled Miccoli's cross.

The hosts dominated possession but found the Bianconeri tough to break down.

Buffon made one excellent save from former Juve midfielder Antonio Nocerino, and while he could only parry Miccoli's low drive, Legrottaglie was there to hack the loose ball behind.

Amelia was called into action with a quite stunning 75th-minute stop after the evergreen Nedved's cross was met by substitute Amauri, who thought he had scored with a powerful close-range finish.

The hosts committed men forward in the search for an equaliser and eventually they paid the price.

Former Palermo striker Amauri surged down the left, skinned Mattia Cassani and knocked the ball back to Trezeguet, who exploited some hesitance in the mind of young Danish defender Simon Kjaer to send the ball off the legs of Amelia and into the back of the net.

Palermo's heads dropped and Juve held on comfortably to move four points ahead of third-placed Milan, who host Cagliari on Sunday.

Reda Maher / Eurosport