Fernando Llorente scored twice as Serie A leaders Juventus beat Livorno yesterday to move eight points clear of Roma.

The Spanish forward put the Turin giants on their way in the 32nd minute and headed home his second soon after to give Juve three valuable points in the title race.

The win preserved the Bianconeri’s unbeaten home record this season and allowed them to restore their lead over Roma who won 3-1 at Cagliari at the weekend.

The defeat has extended Livorno’s winless run to four games and left them in 18th place, two points behind Bologna, who hold the last position of safety.

Livorno had the first chance to score in the second minute when Innocent Emeghara’s drive from 30 yards was kept out by Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

The hosts should have taken the lead in the sixth minute when Llorente set up Tevez in the box, but his right-footed shot towards the far post was saved by Livorno goalkeeper Francesco Bardi.

Livorno defended deeply and Juve controlled possession, and in the 28th minute Leonardo Bonucci wasted a chance when he struck the ball off target from a good position.

However, Juve went in front when Tevez spotted Llorente on the left side of the box and he struck the ball towards the far post and out of Bardi’s reach.

The hosts then doubled their lead three minutes later when Bardi failed to punch away Andrea Pirlo’s corner and Llorente was on hand to nod the ball into the back of the net.

Tevez almost made it 3-0 before half-time but his right-footed attempt went wide.

Early in the second half, Llorente should have had a hat-trick, but after he controlled a long ball from Paul Pogba, the Spaniard fired wide with only Bardi left to beat.

On the hour mark, Alfred Duncan’s long-range attempt forced Buffon to fully stretch to clear.

Conte brought on attacking pair Sebastian Giovinco and Mirko Vucinic in place of Tevez and Llorente for the final 20 minutes, but the substitutes could not find the net despite having several chances to do so.

Milan win at Genoa

Elsewhere kept alive their slim hopes of qualifying for the Europa League when they beat Genoa 2-1 at the Marassi Stadium.

Clarence Seedorf’s men were off to a strong start as they took the lead after 19 minutes.

Adel Taarabt retrieved possession in midfield before bursting inside the area and hit a fierce low drive that gave no chance to Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin.

Genoa tried to respond but it was Milan who struck again on 56 minutes when Taarabt’s throughball put Keisuke Honda through and the Japanese midfielder ably chipped the ball over Perin.

The Rossoblu managed to pull a goal back on 73 minutes when Marco Motta hit a rasping drive past Milan goalkeeper Massimiliano Abbiati.

But despite the hosts’ late pressure Milan held on for the win.