Roma 3 Cagliari 0: Roma close on Milan
Posted Saturday, January 22, 2011 by PA
Roma climbed to second in the Serie A standings thanks to a convincing 3-0 win over luckless Cagliari.
A Francesco Totti penalty midway through the first half and a goal from Simone Perrotta halfway through the second put the Giallorossi in command of a game which had been dominated by the visitors.
Jeremy Menez added a third in stoppage time to seal a win which lifts Claudio Ranieri's side above Inter Milan, Lazio and Napoli and to within three points of leaders AC Milan.
Cagliari had the lion's share of possession and chances at the Stadio Olimpico, yet they were unable to make it three wins in a row.
Nene felt he should have had a penalty in the fifth minute when he went down under the challenge of Juan while Andrea Cossu came close to putting Cagliari in front a minute later.
Roberto Donadoni's side were bright and energetic as they looked to repeat their win over the Giallorossi from earlier this season.
But it was the home side who went ahead in the 22nd minute when Daniele De Rossi went down under a challenge from Michele Canini in the area and captain Totti stepped up to convert the spot-kick.
Cagliari again took charge with the lively Cossu and Nene creating chance after chance.
Philippe Mexes was inspirational at the heart of the Roma defence and he almost single-handedly kept the Sardinians at bay.
Perrotta then clinched victory in the 70th minute after Agazzi had pushed De Rossi's shot wide after a rare break from the home team.
Totti took the corner and Juan headed the ball down to Perrotta, who had an easy tap-in from one yard.
Alessandro Matri's miss with just Julio Sergio to beat in the 81st minute summed the game up for the Sardinians.
And the conceded a third as Menez dribbled past Agazzi to seal the win in stoppage time.
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