Dybala nets twice to put Juventus on top

Rome, March 12: Paulo Dybala struck twice to send Juventus to the top of Serie ‘A’ with a 2-0 victory over Udinese on Sunday, as title rivals Napoli were held to a goalless draw at Inter Milan.

Argentinian Dybala followed his midweek Champions League winner over Tottenham with a match-clinching double, as Massimiliano Allegri’s men moved a point clear of Napoli with a game in hand.

Gonzalo Higuain missed a first-half penalty, but Juve took another comfortable step towards a seventh consecutive league title.

Meanwhile, Napoli were looking to restore their one-point lead and bounce back after seeing a 10match winning streak ended by last weekend’s 24 home defeat by Roma, but couldn’t find a way past top-four hopefuls Inter.

In Turin, the 24-year-old Dybala continued his excellent run of form by curling a magnificent free-kick into the top corner to give the hosts a 20th-minute lead.

Higuain missed a chance to double the advantage before half-time as he saw his spot-kick kept out by Udinese goalkeeper Albano Bizzarri.

But the deadly partnership of Higuain and Dybala combined again to finish off the match as a contest.

The 30-year-old Higuain used his strength to hold off the Udinese defence before sliding in Dybala with a clever pass, and his compatriot did the rest to net his fourth goal in three matches.