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Gonzalo Higuain brace keeps Juventus on track for title

Gonzalo Higuain has now scored 27 goals in Serie A this season. Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Gonzalo Higuain was the hero again as Juventus took another step towards the Serie A title with a 2-0 victory over Chievo.

Higuain took his tally for the season to 27 with a goal in each half at the Juventus Stadium.

The Argentina striker's double -- his seventh of the season -- secured a 32nd consecutive home league win for Juve and moved them nine points clear of Roma ahead of their trip to Bologna on Sunday.

Sami Khedira and Paulo Dybala were denied by Chievo goalkeeper Andrea Seculin before Juventus took a 23rd-minute lead.

Dybala was the orchestrator with a brilliant break to the by-line, and his cut-back found the waiting Higuain who swept home from 12 yards.

Juventus probed for a second with Juan Cuadrado seeing his shot blocked and Higuain firing wide on the edge of the penalty area.

Chievo were encouraged by those misses and Riccardo Meggiorini and substitute Roberto Inglese both headed over.

Higuain wasted an even clearer chance from eight yards out that he would normally take. But he punished Chievo again six minutes from time after Dybala had slipped in Stephan Lichtsteiner to cross from the right.