Sampdoria 1-3 Juventus: Bianconeri maintain late title charge following Morata brace
By Sean Walsh
Juventus extended their unbeaten run in Serie A to 16 games with a 3-1 win at Sampdoria on Saturday.
The Bianconeri cut the gap on league leaders Milan to just four points ahead of the Rossoneri's home clash with Empoli.
Max Allegri's men also moved nine points clear of Atalanta in fifth and look set to secure Champions League qualification after early-season fears that a top-four finish was beyond them.
Juventus took the lead midway through the first half when Juan Cuadrado's teasing cross was turned goalwards by Sampdoria defender Maya Yoshida, beating his helpless colleague Wladimiro Falcone between the sticks.
The visitors doubled their advantage soon after when Alvaro Morata scored from the penalty spot. Moise Kean was hauled down by Omar Colley, and the Spanish striker made no mistake from 12 yards.
Sampdoria pushed for a goal back in the second half and were handed the perfect chance to do so when they were awarded a penalty following a VAR check, with Adrien Rabiot judged to have handled the ball.
However, Antonio Candreva's spot kick was pushed aside by Wojciech Szczesny and Juve maintained their advantage.
The hosts did manage to pull one back six minutes from time when Abdelhamid Sabiri's free-kick deflected off Morata and trickled over the line, but the Spaniard made amends with his second of the day with stoppage time looming.
The striker rose highest to meet Manuel Locatelli's cross to seal a vital win for Juve in what's becoming Europe's most entertaining title race.