Juventus have defeated Roma 1-0 at the Allianz Stadium to end their opponents' recent unbeaten run and remain within touching distance of Serie A leaders Napoli.

The Bianconeri earned their fourth win in five outings through a first-half goal from Mehdi Benatia, who converted from close range after the ball came back off the crossbar.

Roma had previously been without defeat in nine league matches, though they have now taken just two points from the last nine on offer on their travels to see their title hopes take a dent.

In a clash between second and fourth, a poor first touch prevented Juan Cuadrado from getting an early shot away and Mario Mandzukic sent a glancing header narrowly wide.

The decisive moment came via the boot of Benatia, who spent a season at Roma earlier in his career, as he converted at the third time of asking after Alisson initially parried the corner and then turned a shot on to the frame of the goal.

Gonzalo Higuain felt that he should have had a penalty when being brought down in the box by Alisson, while up the other end Wojciech Szczesny - also formerly of Roma - was needed to turn aside a Stephan El Shaarawy attempt.

The Giallorossi, now without a win on their last eight trips to Turin, then came close through a Radja Nainggolan drive on the half-volley.

Plenty of chances were being created as Mandzukic fired straight at Alisson and Higuain skied the ball over the bar following a slick piece of play.

Higuain would also prove wayward when the next opening fell his way, this time from a Mandzukic pass, and Blaise Matuidi could not get the better of Alisson.

Juve were left holding on somewhat come the final 10 minutes, though, as Alessandro Florenzi flicked the ball over Szczesny but was denied by the woodwork, before the Polish keeper kept out a header with his feet.

As the frenetic game reached its concluding moments, Miralem Pjanic saw his shot helped onto the bar by Alisson, and Patrick Schick was denied a dramatic leveller by Szczesny's quick reactions.

Juventus (4-3-3): Szczesny; Barzagli, Benatia, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Pjanic, Khedira, Matuidi (Marchisio 78'); Cuadrado (Bernardeschi 76'), Higuain, Mandzukic

Roma (4-3-3): Alisson; Florenzi, Manolas, Fazio, Kolarov; Nainggolan, De Rossi (Cengiz 85'), Strootman (Pellegrini 70'); El Shaarawy (Schick 66'), Dzeko, Perotti