Cristiano Ronaldo headed two goals as Juventus beat bottom side Crotone to go within eight points of leaders Inter Milan.
Ronaldo turned home an Alex Sandro cross before rising highest to head in from Aaron Ramsey’s ball, for his 70th Serie A goal in just over two and a half years.
Ronaldo is now Serie A’s top scorer this season, with 18 – overtaking Inter Milan’s Romelu Lukaku.
Weston McKennie scored Juve’s third from close range. Inter Milan still top the standings with 53 points but have played one more match than Juventus .
‘The desire we have to return to the top makes me feel comfortable,’ Andrea Pirlo said at full time.
‘The attitude of the players also pleases me.
‘When we have more players free from injury I will have more choice and this also makes me feel comfortable. ‘We know that Inter are a great team and we know we have to fight to win the title.’
Inter beat rivals AC milan 3-0 at the weekend to topple them from the peak. AC Milan are second with 49 points.