Juventus substitute Simone Zaza believes he struck lucky when deciding the most anticipated game of the Serie A season.

Late Saturday, the former Sassuolo striker emerged from the bench in Turin to score the only goal of Juve’s scudetto showdown with Napoli, with a 1-0 win propelling the Bianconeri to the top of the table.

His 88th-minute goal, which took a telling deflection off Raul Albiol, means Juve boast a one-point advantage after dislodging the Southerners from first place.

Zaza believes the title is now Juve’s to lose and hopes his team-mates can protect their new status.

Following Saturday’s match he told juventus.com: “I really hope my goal proves crucial when it comes to deciding the destination of the title.

“I was lucky, though.

“It was down to the hard work of my team-mates, we all played well in a difficult match.

“It was tough, we had to deal with all of their counter-attacks, but our goal throughout was to win, and we did it... so that’s okay.

“Now it all depends on what we do. If we can keep playing that way then no one will take the title away from us. We are now the top dogs.”

Zaza has struggled for a place in the team this season. He was the subject of media speculation over a move in the transfer window and appeared to have blown his chance altogether when he was sent off against Genoa in his last appearance.

Juve’s Sami Khedira controls the ball against Napoli.

“It was a very tactical match and this was an important moment in the championship on a psychological level,” said Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri.

An anti-climatic stalemate seemed likely until Zaza produced his moment of inspiration to send the Juventus Stadium wild.

“I stopped Simone Zaza from leaving Juventus in the January transfer window as I did with other players,” said Allegri.

“Between now and the end of the season the difference will be made by the players who have played less and are freshest in the mind.”

Napoli, aiming to win the title for the first time since 1990, had won their previous eight games and boasted the league’s most prolific attack with 53 goals.

However, experienced goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon barely had a save to make as Juve’s defence, the stingiest in the championship, prevailed.

Juve, who were 11 points adrift of first place after 10 games this season, now lead with 57 points, one ahead of Napoli, and look favourites to clinch a fifth successive title.

Defeated visiting coach Maurizio Sarri was crestfallen after watching Juve win at the death.

Napoli had led the division since deposing Inter over the festive period, but must now hope Juve slip up at some point across the final 13 games.

“I’m disappointed we conceded right at the very end. We spent the whole game defending really well,” Sarri told reporters.

“We have to stay calm, because we can’t let a deflected finish dash our self-belief.

“We played really well and it’s rare to see Juventus create so few chances at home. We, however, should have done more up front.

“There are not many teams in Europe who can come to Turin and match Juventus. We did that.

“We must react immediately. To become a great team you have to learn from bad experiences and move on from them very quickly.”