Juve 6 clear after Napoli draw

JUVENTUS survived a second-half Napoli onslaught to draw 1-1 with its closest title rival on Friday, maintaining a six-point Serie A lead after a testing examination at a ground where it hasn't won in 13 years.

Juventus, whose last league win at the Sao Paolo came way back in September 2000 when current coach Antonio Conte was playing in midfield, took the lead in the game but was indebted to veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon for salvaging a point.

"The title is far away, we are six points in front which is a good advantage," said Conte, after a game brought forward so Juventus can prepare for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Celtic.

Giorgio Chiellini rose above Miguel Angel Britos to power home a header past goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis from a fine, pinpoint cross by Andrea Pirlo.

It was a first goal of the season in Serie A for Chiellini in his 15th match. But he almost failed to make the game, having to undergo a late fitness test on an ankle problem.

Both sides continued to have half-chances before Napoli leveled two minutes before half-time. Swiss midfielder Gokhan Inler unleashed a 25-yard right-foot pile-driver which took a deflection off the head of Leonardo Bonucci and flew past the despairing dive of Buffon into the top corner.

In a bad-tempered end to the first half, Edinson Cavani was booked for elbowing Chiellini in the face, just moments after the Juventus player had cheekily tugged the flowing, dark hair of the Uruguayan.

The match was marred by fan violence before kickoff, with a window of the Juventus team bus broken by an object thrown by Napoli supporters as the squads arrived at the stadium.

No Juventus players or staff members were injured during the incident, the ANSA news agency reported.

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