Roma 3-1 SPAL: Edin Dzeko ends barren run as Eusebio Di Francesco's side ease past Serie A strugglers to move into title contention

  • Edin Dzeko ended his six-game Serie A goal drought to score the opening goal
  • Kevin Strootman and Lorenzo Pellegrini also got their names on the scoresheet
  • SPAL had to play the majority of the game with 10 men after Felipe was sent off
  • Federico Viviani scored a rebound from his penalty to score a consolation goal
  • The win sees Roma climb into fourth, just four points off top with a match in hand

Edin Dzeko ended his goal drought with the opener as Roma beat 10-man SPAL 3-1.

SPAL had a numerical disadvantage for 80 minutes as Felipe was sent off early on following a video review after pulling back Dzeko on the edge of the penalty area as the Roma striker bore down on goal.

Roma quickly capitalised as Stephan El Shaarawy floated a ball behind the SPAL defence for Dzeko, who took a touch before scuffing a shot in off the far right post for his first goal in nine games.

Edin Dzeko broke his goalscoring duck to give Roma the lead against SPAL

Edin Dzeko broke his goalscoring duck to give Roma the lead against SPAL

Kevin Strootman thumped in their second after some neat work from Stephan El Shaarawy

Kevin Strootman thumped in their second after some neat work from Stephan El Shaarawy

Midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini celebrates scoring his first goal of the season and Roma's third

Midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini celebrates scoring his first goal of the season and Roma's third

SPAL defender was sent off after just nine minutes for pulling back Dzeko just outside the box

SPAL defender was sent off after just nine minutes for pulling back Dzeko just outside the box

MATCH FACTS AND SERIE A TABLE

Roma (4-3-3): Becker, Florenzi, Manolas, Jesus, Kolarov, Pellegrini, Gonalons, Strootman, Under, Dzeko, El Shaarawy;


Subs not used: Moreno, Lobont, Fazio, Peres, Skorupski, Antonucci, Castan

Goalscorers: Dzeko (19), Strootman (32), Pellegrini (53) 

Booked: Gonalons

SPAL (3-5-2): Gomis, Cremonesi, Vicari, Felipe, Lazazari, Grassi, Viviani, Rizzo, Mattiello, Paloschi, Bonazzoli;

Subs not used: Oikonomou, Bellemo, Floccari, Poluzzi, Vitale, Schiattarella, Marchegiani

Goalscorers: Viviani (55)

Booked: Grassi, Schiavon

Red Carded: Felipe 

Referee: Rosario Abisso

Attendance: 35,609 

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Kevin Strootman made it 2-0 from close range after being played in by El Shaarawy's back-heel in the 32nd minute and Lorenzo Pellegrini headed in his first Roma goal eight minutes after the break.

Federico Viviani pulled one back for the visitors two minutes later, tucking in the rebound after his retaken spot-kick - an attempted Panenka - was pushed on to the crossbar by Alisson.

Roma stayed on the prowl for a fourth and Alfred Gomis made a terrific save to deny Pellegrini's goal-bound free-kick before Gerson blazed over the bar from point-blank range. 

Federico Viviani missed his chipped penalty but scored the rebound for a consolation goal

Federico Viviani missed his chipped penalty but scored the rebound for a consolation goal

Goalkeeper Alfred Gomis played well between the sticks to keep the scoreline respectable

Goalkeeper Alfred Gomis played well between the sticks to keep the scoreline respectable