Palermo 0-3 Juventus

Mario Mandzukic has scored three goals in Serie A this season

Juventus scored three second-half goals to comfortably beat Palermo and continue their climb up Serie A.

Mario Mandzukic headed the champions ahead from Paulo Dybala's superb cross before Stefano Sturaro coolly converted a Paul Pogba pass a minute from time.

Substitute Simeone Zaza drilled home the third in injury time as the defending champions made it four wins from their last five league games.

Juve are six points behind leaders Inter Milan who play Napoli on Monday.

Massimiliano Allegri's side are gaining momentum as they look to win the title for a fifth successive year.

Juve's Stefano Sturaro scored his first goal of the season

Juventus have now won seven successive games against Palermo without conceding a goal.

And this was another comprehensive victory once former Palermo forward Dybala teed up Mandzukic, who scored the winner as Juventus beat Manchester City 1-0 in the Champions League last Wednesday night, to put the visitors ahead.

Palermo, who have now won just one of their last six league games, had no response and conceded two goals within the space of four minutes late on as Juve moved up to fifth place.

Elsewhere in Serie A

Roma missed the chance to go top of the table as they followed up their 6-1 mid-week Champions League defeat by Barcelona by losing 2-0 at home to Atalanta.

Frosinone moved out of the relegation places with a 3-2 win over Verona, while Carpi secured only their second win of the season with a 2-1 success at Genoa.

Lazio slumped to a fourth defeat in five games with a 1-0 loss at Empoli, while Udinese beat Chievo 3-2.