Iaquinta helps Juve hammer Roma

Juventus kept the Serie A title race very much alive when Vincenzo Iaquinta struck twice in a 4-1 win at depleted Roma last night.

The Italy forward fired in his first goal after 34 minutes and then headed the visitors back in front early in the second half following Simone Loria's equaliser.

Olof Mellberg and Pavel Nedved added the third and fourth goals after injury-and-suspension ravaged Roma ran out of steam.

The win puts second-placed Juve four points behind leaders Inter Milan, who have 10 games remaining and host Reggina today.

"We must think about our results without looking too much at Inter," Iaquinta told Sky television. "We have nine games left and we have to go on the field with the mentality to win all nine."

The match started scrappily but Iaquinta produced the first bit of class when he was given space just inside the area to fire into the corner of the net.

Loria, much derided by Roma fans after several error-strewn displays this term, was overjoyed to turn in the equaliser just after the break when Juve failed to defend a flat corner.

But Iaquinta soon had Juve back in the lead.

Zdenek Grygera's cross deflected up off John Arne Riise and former Udinese striker Iaquinta jumped highest to head home.

Riise then cleared Alessandro Del Piero's shot off the line but Juve were not to be denied and Mellberg powerfully headed in a corner before substitute Nedved matched last weekend's scoreline against Bologna with a fierce shot from distance.

Eighth-placed Lazio's hopes of European qualification took another blow in the early kickoff when Delio Rossi's side lost 1-0 at Catania.

Striker Michele Paolucci tapped in midway through the first half following a swift counter attack to all but end any lingering fears of relegation for the Sicilians.