MILAN: Juventus refused to let up despite having already won Serie A and notched their 25th win in their last 26 league games by beating Carpi 2-0 on Sunday.

Brazilian midfielder Hernanes, with his first goal for the club, and Simone Zaza scored in each half to increase lowly Carpi’s relegation worries.

Hernanes broke the deadlock three minutes before halftime with a low shot which found its way between goalkeeper Vid Belec and his near post. Halftime substitute Zaza headed the second from Paul Pogba’s cross with 10 minutes left.

Juventus have 88 points from 36 games, 15 clear of Napoli, who host Atalanta on Monday.

Carpi, in their debut season in Serie A, are 17th, one place above the relegation zone with 35 points but are now above 18th-placed Palermo on goal difference after the Sicilian side beat Sampdoria 2-0.

Frosinone are four points behind in 19th after wasting a two-goal lead in a 3-3 draw at AC Milan.

Jeremey Menez netted a stoppage-time penalty for Milan. Mario Balotelli, who had an earlier penalty saved, also hit the bar.

Juventus had secured a record-equalling fifth consecutive Serie A crown last Monday when Roma defeated Napoli 1-0 in the capital.

But Allegri was in no mood for seeing complacency creep into his squad.

The last time the sides met, Allegri famously tore off his coat in a rage when Juventus came close to gifting the league minnows a late equaliser before wrapping up a 3-2 win.

This time, the 48-year-old coach remained composed as Juve soaked up a brief spell of pressure in the first half before settling into their stride in a far more convincing second.

Juve’s fans filled the stadium to help celebrate a fifth straight scudetto, which equalled the club’s record from 1935, and were soon given reason to cheer.

Pogba tested Belec with a volley at the near post from Leonardo Bonucci’s delightful cross in the opening exchanges, while Morata sent a diving header just wide.

But with top flight survival at stake, Carpi hit back and Gianluigi Buffon had to stick out a foot at his near post to deny Simone Verdi’s angled drive.

From the resulting corner, a mix-up between Jerry Mbakogu and Emanuele Suagher saw the latter volley wide of the target.

But those were the last of Carpi’s first-half chances, while at the other end defender Daniele Rugani saw a glancing header skim the crossbar.

Juventus finally broke the deadlock on 44 minutes, Hernanes’s low strike from the edge of the box sneaking inside Belec’s near post.

Morata had suffered a knock and made way for Zaza at the start of the second half, but while Juventus went on to control the remainder Carpi were unlucky not to level.

Kevin Lasagna had scored a precious winner for Carpi last week against Empoli to keep them above the relegation zone.

Lasagna started on the bench but his arrival gave the visitors a welcome boost. A quick effort from the attacking midfielder was just off target, while Filippo Porcari’s had Buffon on tenterhooks when his drive skimmed the post as the ‘keeper looked on.

At the other end Juve striker Mario Mandzukic failed to make proper contact with Stephan Lichsteiner’s cross and Bonucci missed the target with the follow-up.

Moments later, Zaza held off defender Simone Romagnoli to get on the end of Pogba’s cross and send a looping header into the top corner.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2016