体坛英语新闻：Juventus thrash Palermo to atop Serie A

ROME, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Juventus routed Palermo 3-0 on Sunday to stay at the top of Serie A with one game in hand.

Simone Pepe broke the deadlock for the hosts at the 20th minute after a well-worked move capped by Giorgio Chiellini who whipped a cross from the left for the winger to nod in.

It should have been 2-0, but Mirko Vucinic only scuffed his finish when running on to a Stephan Lichtsteiner through ball.

Juventus players celebrate their win against Palermo at the end of their Italian Serie A soccer match at Juventus stadium in Turin November 20, 2011.

Juventus doubled their lead just three minutes after the restart. Lichtsteiner's through ball down the right released Alessandro Matri, whose right-foot angled drive beat Palermo goalkeeper Alexander Tzorvas at the near post.

Claudio Marchisio wrapped up the win for Juventus at the 65th minute when his precise angled drive down the right channel left Tzorvas no chance.

Palermo striker Josip Ilicic suffered a horrid night as his efforts were repeatedly thwarted by Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon.