Tevez scores to give Juventus win at A.C. Milan

MILAN (AP) — Carlos Tevez's fourth goal in three matches helped Juventus win 1-0 at AC Milan on Saturday in the first high-profile matchup of the Serie A.

In the 71st minute at the San Siro, Paul Pogba set up Tevez with only the goalkeeper to beat, and he expertly chipped it in over Christian Abbiati.

The victory gave Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri a measure of revenge against the club that fired him in January.

Tevez also scored in a 2-0 win over Udinese last weekend then produced both goals in a 2-0 victory over Malmo in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Juventus was clearly the more dangerous side and controlled for long stretches but it took a while for the Bianconeri — and Tevez — to find the target this time.

"We expected a match like this. They were coming off two victories," Tevez said. "But we played a good match."

With three wins from three matches, Juventus moved three points clear of Milan and Roma, which hosts Cagliari on Sunday.

Earlier, Cesena and Empoli drew 2-2 in a matchup between two promoted clubs.

With former Juventus and Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi now coaching the Rossoneri, Milan entered with momentum following a wild 5-4 win over Parma last weekend.

While Juventus has won the past three Serie A titles, rival Milan struggled to an eighth-place finish last season, leaving the seven-time European champion out of continental competition.

Juventus controlled early on but it was Milan that had the first real chance in the 27th when Keisuke Honda rose between two defenders for a header that goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon did well to deflect with his right hand.

Four minutes later, Juventus forward Fernando Llorente was set up by Tevez directly in front of the goal but couldn't find a way past Abbiati.

Juve midfielder Claudio Marchisio hit the post from beyond the area in the 38th after Nigel de Jong was late in defense.

Marchisio threatened again in the 60th but his one-touch angled effort through traffic went wide.

Often-injured Milan forward Stephan El Shaarawy exited with an apparent physical problem in the 66th, and five minutes later Tevez found the target.

Tevez celebrated by putting a pacifier in his mouth, to acknowledge his son.

"That should make him happy," Tevez said.

Newly signed forward Fernando Torres made his Milan debut when he came on for Andrea Poli in the 76th and picked up a yellow card in added time.

In Cesena, the hosts went ahead with goals from Guido Marilungo and Gregoire Defrel in the 30th and 32nd, and Empoli responded with a penalty from Francesco Tavano in the 55th and an equalizer by Daniele Rugani in the 72nd.