Juve go three points clear

Pretty in pink: Juventus’ Arturo Vidal (L) celebrates scoring his second goal during clash with Roma [AFP]

Undefeated Juventus routed 10-man Roma 4-0 on Sunday to open up a three-point lead over AC Milan with just five rounds remaining in Serie A.

Playing in the late match and already aware of Milan’s draw, Juventus took control immediately with two early goals from Arturo Vidal in the fourth and eighth minutes.

Roma goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg was then sent off for a last-man foul on Claudio Marchisio in the 26th. Andrea Pirlo converted his own rebound from the ensuing penalty to make it 3-0, and Marchisio added the fourth in the 52nd minute.

With the resutl Juventus took full advantage of AC Milan dropping points to Bologna.

Ten-man Milan needed a 90th-minute equaliser from Zlatan Ibrahimovic to salvage a 1-1 draw at home.

Uruguayan forward Gaston Ramirez gave Bologna the lead in the 26th minute at the San Siro, finishing off a swift counterattack after Milan midfielder Mark van Bommel lost possession.

Milan defender Daniele Bonera picked up his second yellow card in the 82nd and it looked like the Rossoneri were about to slip to their second loss in three matches until Ibrahimovic scored with a close-range volley.

Elsewhere, third-place Lazio allowed a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Lecce.

After both sides had hit the crossbar, Brazilian midfielder Francelino Matuzalem scored with a header for Lazio in the 82nd, but Valeri Bojinov drew Lecce level in added time from the center of the area for his first goal since rejoining the southern club on loan from Sporting Lisbon in January.

Lazio held on to the final Champions League spot, but are only three points ahead of Udinese, with Napoli four points back.

Flare up

Siena beat Genoa 4-1 in a match that was suspended for about 45 minutes early in the second half due to protests.

With their side trailing 4-0, Genoa fans threw flares onto the pitch and climbed atop barriers as they were faced by stewards in riot gear.

After the fans calmed down, the match resumed and Cristiano Del Grosso scored an own goal for Genoa in the 79th.

Earlier, Julio Cesar saved a penalty but Inter Milan came away with only a 0-0 draw at struggling Fiorentina, damaging their dwindling chances of qualifying for the Champions League.

In the 69th minute, Julio Cesar dove to his right to push away a low spot kick from Adem Ljajic after the goalkeeper had tripped Andrea Lazzari.

Also, Palermo drew 2-2 at Cesena.

A minute of silence was held before each match a week after Piermario Morosini’s death in a Serie B game.