JUVENTUS gave its hopes of a 10th straight Serie A title a timely boost as the side beat struggling Spezia 3-0 Tuesday to move within seven points of league leader Inter Milan.

Andrea Pirlo’s side was frustrated for long periods, but second-half goals from Alvaro Morata, Federico Chiesa and Cristiano Ronaldo clinched an important win.

With his goal Tuesday, Ronaldo became the only player to score at least 20 goals in each of the last 12 seasons in the top-five European Leagues. The stretch began in 2009-10, his first season with Real Madrid, after he had scored a mere 18 goals during his last season with Manchester United.

Juve sits three points behind second-placed AC Milan, with Inter Milan four points further clear.

“The gap is just the points that separate us,” Juventus coach Pirlo, who took over at the start of the season, told Sky Sport Italia.

“We know it will be a long chase. We still intend to be there right to the end.”

The Turin giants have won the last nine Italian league titles, but have it all to do to deny either of the two Milan clubs from ending that remarkable run.

“We are working to win, if we don’t win this season, then we’ll congratulate the champions, but as long as there’s a mathematical chance, we’ll give our all on the pitch,” Morata said.

(SD-Agencies)