MILAN: Cristiano Ronaldo was on target as Juventus earned a 2-0 victory over AS Roma on Saturday to leapfrog their opponents and move into third place in the Serie A standings.

A day after turning 36, the Portuguese scored his nrst goalin four league games to give Juve the lead in the 13th minute, drilling the ball into the bottom corner with his left foot.

Ronaldo then thought he had netted another with his right, but saw his powerful effort come off the underside of the crossbar, bounce down on the line and away from goal.

Roma did put some pressure on the hosts in the second half but could not find the killer chance, with an own goal by Roger Ibanez in the 69th sealing the win for Andrea Pirlo`s side.

A sixth victory in a row in all competitions moved Juve above Roma onto 42 points, two clear of their opponents and five behind leaders Inter Milan, who have played a game more.

Sometimes you can play well, sometimes less well. The important thing is to bring home the result, Pirlo said. `I don`t know if it was the best Juve tonight but it was a great Juve.

Napoli and Atalanta failed to close in on the top four after disappointing results. Napoli lost atGenoa 2-1 and Atalanta let slip a three-goal advantage to draw Torino at home 3-3.

Ronaldo ended a three-game barren run in the league with a fine finish from the edge of the box.

Roma threatened on plenty of occasions but they did not seriously test goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

Ronaldo was ready to pounce to put the game to bed before Ibanez got there first, poking Dejan Kulusevski`s squared pass into his own net.

Forward Goran Pandev scored twice against his former Napoli club for Genoa to continue theirrevival under coach Davide Ballardini.

Pandev netted his goals in the first half and Matteo Politano pulled one back 11 minutes from time to set up a tense finale.

Genoa moved up to 11th, nine points above the relegation zone, after their fourth win in five league matches.

Napoli remained fifth, three points below Roma, who have played a match more.

In an extraordinary match in Bergamo, seventh-placed Atalanta looked to be on course for a comfortable win after going 3-0 up inside 21 minutes thanl(s to Josip Ilicic`s opener, an own goal from Torino goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu, and a strike by Luis Muriel.

However, goals from Andrea Belotti and Bremer got the visitors back in the game before halftime.

It appeared the comeback would not be completed, however, as Torino struggled to find an equaliser, until substitute Federico Bonazzoli popped up with an 84thminute goal to snatch a point.

It was a third draw in three games for new Torino coach Davide Nicola with the club 17th, one point above the relegation zone.

Struggling Spezia shoclced Sassuolo with a 2-1 away victory, secured by an Emmanuel Gyasi winner in the 78th minute.

-Agencies