Juventus score early to take down Fulham

(GSM) – An flourish of first-half goals put Juventus in control of their Europa League round of 16 tie on Thursday, securing a 3-1 first-leg win over Juventus.

Juve opened the scoring after nine minutes when Nicola Legrottaglie came forward to nod home a corner kick by Diego, and it was 2-0 in the 25th minute as Jonathan Zebina produced a fine solo run before slotting beyond Mark Schwarzer.

Fulham made a game of it on 36 minutes when Legrottaglie saw Dickson Etuhu’s shot deflected off him and into the goal, but Juve restored the two-goal lead deep into first-half stoppage time.

Another corner kick by Diego fell this time to David Trézéguet, who put in at the second attempt when his first shot came crashing back off the woodwork.

Fulham improved in the second half, but Juve’s defense held firm to give the Italians a two-goal edge ahead of the second leg in London.