Cristiano Ronaldo played a part in all three goals as Juventus came from behind to defeat title rivals Napoli on Saturday.
Napoli took the lead through Dries Mertens after 10 minutes but Juventus turned the game around thanks to Ronaldo’s intervention.
Mario Manduzkic scored twice and Leonardo Bonucci added another as Juventus claimed their eighth win a row in all competitions.
Ronaldo was the star, though, and Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri praised Juve’s new signing after the match.
“We started a little tense, gave away too many balls and conceded the goal. Cristiano Ronaldo did well to create two or three promising situations,” Allegri told Sky Sport Italia.
“Once Napoli went down to 10 men, we stopped playing, and that made me angry. We ran a big risk on Jose Callejon’s chance and they could easily have equalised.
“Ronaldo is enjoying his football, he has integrated very well and he loves an assist as well as a goal. He had some exceptional passes tonight and it’s all about finding him in the right way.
“I thought tonight and the first half-hour against Valencia represented his best performances of the season so far.”
Mario Rui was sent off for the visitors just before the hour mark as Napoli slipped to their second Serie A defeat of the season.
“I think the referee made a superficial decision. Mario Rui got the second yellow card after a good long wait to consider it,” Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti told Sky Sport Italia.
“The two yellows came from the superficiality of the referee.
“I was angry at my team because we started strong and took the lead, but then started getting sluggish and allowed Juventus to regain their confidence.”
Mandzukic headed Juve level on 26 minutes following a wonderful cross by Ronaldo and then added another four minutes into the second half, with Ronaldo once again playing a part.
Rui then saw red for a second bookable offence and Bonucci met Ronaldo’s goalbound header to put Juventus further ahead.
Juventus now turn their attention to Young Boys in the Champions League with Ronaldo suspended as he serves a one-match after he was sent off against Valencia, while Napoli take on Liverpool.
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