A stoppage-time header by Dusan Vlahovic helped Juventus come from behind to grab a 2-1 win at Salernitana in Serie A on Sunday after the hosts were reduced to 10 men early in the second half.
The win allowed Juventus to keep pace with leaders Inter Milan in the title race as they reached the halfway mark in the campaign in second spot in the standings on 46 points.
They are two points behind Inter, who beat lowly Verona 2-1 in a drama-filled clash on Saturday, and seven above third-placed AC Milan.
Salernitana midfielder Giulio Maggiore beat Juve goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny with an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box before the break but Samuel Iling-Junior equalised in the 65th minute and Vlahovic headed home the winner in the 91st.
The hosts were left with 10 men when Maggiore received his second booking for a tackle on Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot in the 53rd minute.
Salernitana, who on Thursday were thrashed 6-1 at Juve in the Coppa Italia last 16 after opening the scoring in the first minute, had an early chance through Junior Sambia but Szczesny did well to keep out his low shot towards the near corner.
However, Filippo Inzaghi’s side took the lead six minutes before halftime, and Juventus were poor in front of goal until Iling-Junior found the leveller, striking into the roof of the net from close range.
But 10-man Salernitana did not let Juve settle and Szczesny had to keep out a long-range effort from Domagoj Bradaric one minute later.
The Pole had a lucky escape moments later when Simeon Nwankwo struck just wide from close range.
Vlahovic, who set up Iling-Junior for the equaliser, scored the winner with a towering header from near the penalty spot, after a neat pass from defender Danilo.
Juventus are unbeaten in their last 14 Serie A games, the longest ongoing unbeaten streak in the competition.
They next host 14th-placed Sassuolo on Jan. 16.
Salernitana, who are bottom with 12 points from 19 games, visit champions Napoli on Saturday.
Roma and Atalanta Draw
Forward Paulo Dybala rescued a home 1-1 draw for AS Roma against Atalanta in Serie A on Sunday as the Argentine converted from the penalty spot in the first half.
Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners put the visitors in front eight minutes into the game, nodding home a brilliant pass from Aleksey Miranchuk.
However, Dybala equalised from the spot six minutes before the break, after a penalty was awarded for Matteo Ruggeri’s foul on Roma defender Rick Karsdorp following a VAR review.
Atalanta thought they regained the lead just before the hour mark in an even clash at the Stadio Olimpico but the goal by Gianluca Scamacca was ruled out for the striker’s foul on Roma midfielder Nicola Zalewski.
Roma coach Jose Mourinho was shown a red card in stoppage time for protesting at the officials following a foul on Romelu Lukaku.
Roma, winless in four out of their last five league outings, are eighth in the standings on 29 points. They are one point behind seventh-placed Lazio and Atalanta in sixth, and four adrift of Fiorentina, who close the top four.
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