Paulo Dybala scored after 44 seconds for Juventus but they were made to struggle in a 3-1 win over a brave Cagliari team as they stayed six points clear in Serie A on Saturday
Juventus, who have won 10 of their 11 league games, needed the help of an own goal by Filip Bradaric after Joao Pedro had equalized for Cagliari.
Juan Cuadrado wrapped up the points with a late goal set up by Cristiano Ronaldo, shortly after Cagliari had come close to making it 2-2.
Dybala gave Juve the perfect start when he received a pass on the edge of the penalty area, twisted one way and then the other and, despite slipping as he struck the ball, scored with a right-foot shot past Alessio Cragno.
Cagliari fought back and, after having a penalty appeal for handball turned down following a VAR review, forced Juve goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny into a point-blank save to block a Leonardo Pavoletti volley.
Cristiano Ronaldo gestures to encourage his teammates during the match. /VCG Photo
The Sardinian side deservedly leveled in the 36th minute when Joao Pedro controlled Darijo Srna's cross with an excellent first touch before beating Szczesny with a low drive.
But Juve were gifted a goal less than two minutes later by Bradaric who, under no immediate pressure, slid in and diverted Douglas Costa's low cross into the net.
Ronaldo, who hit the post on the stroke of halftime, laid the third on a plate for Juan Cuadrado with three minutes left after Cagliari were exposed on the counter-attack.
Inter's 7th straight league win
Roberto Gagliardini (C) of Inter Milan celebrates after scoring his second goal on November 3, 2018. /VCG Photo
Inter Milan notched up their seventh successive Serie A victory when they thumped mid-table Genoa 5-0 at San Siro on Saturday thanks to two players who have played only bit-part roles so far this season.
Midfielder Roberto Gagliardini, starting his fourth game out of 11, scored twice while midfielder Joao Mario, who made his first appearance of the season against Lazio on Monday, set up three goals and scored one.
The win sent Inter back into second place with 25 points from 11 games, ahead of Napoli who beat Empoli 5-1 on Friday on goal difference. Inter are three points behind leaders Juventus.