ROME, April 16: An Arturo Vidal double moved Juventus closer to retaining the Serie A title as they beat Lazio 2-0 on Monday to move 11 points clear at the top of the table.

Vidal fired Juve ahead from the penalty spot after Lorik Cana brought down Claudio Marchisio in the eighth minute, his first league goal since November.

Chile international Vidal doubled his tally 20 minutes later when he latched on to a deflected Mirko Vucinic pass before rifling home from close range.

As it stands, Juventus can clinch their 29th Serie A title on May 5, at home to Palermo.

“This victory is very, very important as it allows us to put another huge brick on the road to the title,” said coach Antonio Conte.

“We still need seven points and until we have something in our hands we won’t talk about it.”

With six games to go Juve have 74 points and they enjoy a commanding lead over second-placed Napoli with only six matches remaining. AC Milan are third on 59.

Napoli could only draw 1-1 with third placed AC Milan on Sunday, leaving Conte’s men with the Scudetto well within their sights.

However, Vidal doesn’t feel the title is wrapped up just yet.

“I am satisfied with my performance tonight,” he commented. “But the season is not over. There are only six games left and this win is crucial for us to get closer to the title.”

Defeat dented Lazio’s chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League as they now trail Milan by eight points.

Despite losing seven of their last 11 league matches, Lazio remain in fifth position level on 51 points with city rivals Roma, though ahead thanks to a better head-to-head record.

Fiorentina occupy fourth place with 55 points while Inter Milan are seventh with 50.

The top two clubs qualify for Europe’s elite club competition and the team in third goes through to the preliminary round.

“We gifted a penalty to Juve, but I didn’t see so much difference,” Lazio coach Vladimir Petkovic said. “We gave away two goals. They were good to take advantage of their two chances, so congratulations to them.”

Elsewhere in Spain, Giovani dos Santos struck in added time to earn Real Mallorca a dramatic 1-0 win at home to Celta Vigo in a battle of La Liga’s two basement sides.

A deep cross was headed goalwards by striker Tomer Hemed in the 93rd minute and when keeper Javi Varas could only parry the effort, Mexico forward Dos Santos volleyed in the rebound to set off ecstatic celebrations on the pitch.

The victory moved Mallorca up to second from bottom with 27 points and seven games left, behind Real Zaragoza on goal difference.

Promoted Celta occupy last position in the table on 24 points after 31 games.

Barcelona lead the standings on 81 points, ahead of Real Madrid on 68 and third-placed Atletico Madrid on 65.—Agencies