Match ends, Cagliari 1, Roma 2.
CagliariCagliari1RomaRoma2
Roma narrowed the gap to Serie A leaders Juventus to seven points with a hard-earned win at Cagliari.
Adem Ljajic's finish into the roof of the net from Daniele Verde's neat dink put Roma ahead before half-time.
Debutant Verde was also involved in Roma's second, crossing for Leandro Paredes to fire into the net on the half-volley from just outside the area.
Paul-Jose M'Poku headed a consolation for Cagliari, who lost for the first time at home under Gianfranco Zola.
Victory for Roma ended a run of four straight draws and they are now unbeaten in 12 league games.
After Ljajic opened the scoring in the 37th minute, the hosts missed a number of chances to equalise, Duje Cop spurning the best of those when he shot over from 15 yards with only Morgan De Sanctis to beat.
Paredes put Roma out of reach five minutes from the end before M'Poku's late header reduced arrears with virtually the last touch of the game.
Napoli strengthened their grip on third place with a comfortable 3-1 home win over Udinese.
Dries Mertens and Manolo Gabbiadini put them two in front before Cyril Thereau pulled a goal back. But he then scored an own goal to restore Napoli's two-goal lead.
Fiorentina are a further seven points behind them in fourth. Manuel Pasqual struck a late winner in a 3-2 victory against Atalanta as Chelsea loan signing Mohamed Salah made a winning debut.
Empoli halted a nine-game winless run with a comfortable 2-0 home triumph over struggling Cesena.
Sampdoria and Sassuolo shared a 1-1 draw with Eder cancelling out Francesco Acerbi's early opener.
Line-ups
Cagliari
Formation 4-3-2-1
- 44Brkic
- 2GonzálezSubstituted forM'Pokuat 61'minutesBooked at 82mins
- 15RossettiniBooked at 35mins
- 33Capuano
- 8Avelar
- 30Donsah
- 5Conti
- 16Dessena
- 10Geraldino dos Santos GalvãoSubstituted forSauat 78'minutes
- 20Ekdal
- 90CopSubstituted forLongoat 84'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Colombi
- 3Murru
- 4Crisetig
- 9Longo
- 17Farias
- 18Barella
- 21Balzano
- 22Husbauer
- 25Sau
- 27Cragno
- 32Ceppitelli
- 40M'Poku
Roma
Formation 4-3-3
- 26De Sanctis
- 35Torosidis
- 2Yanga-Mbiwa
- 23Astori
- 25HolebasBooked at 79mins
- 15Pjanic
- 20Keita
- 4Nainggolan
- 53Verde
- 10TottiSubstituted forSanabriaat 62'minutes
- 8LjajicBooked at 42minsSubstituted forParedesat 74'minutesBooked at 81mins
Substitutes
- 3Cole
- 13Sisenando
- 28Skorupski
- 32Paredes
- 33Spolli
- 48Ucan
- 52Pellegrini
- 56Vestenicky
- 91Calabresi
- 92Marchegiani
- 96Sanabria
- Referee:
- Paolo Tagliavento
- Attendance:
- 9,961
Match Stats
Home TeamCagliariAway TeamRoma
- Possession
- Home44%
- Away56%
- Shots
- Home17
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away6
- Corners
- Home5
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away13
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Cagliari 1, Roma 2.
Goal!
Goal! Cagliari 1, Roma 2. Paul-José M'Poku (Cagliari) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Danilo Avelar with a cross.
Post update
Attempt saved. Vasilis Torosidis (Roma) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by José Holebas.
Post update
Seydou Keita (Roma) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Paul-José M'Poku (Cagliari).
Post update
Attempt missed. Albin Ekdal (Cagliari) header from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Danilo Avelar with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Cagliari. Conceded by Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.
Post update
Attempt missed. Marco Sau (Cagliari) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Daniele Dessena with a cross.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Paul-José M'Poku (Cagliari) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Samuele Longo.
Goal!
Goal! Cagliari 0, Roma 2. Leandro Paredes (Roma) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Daniele Verde with a cross.
Substitution
Substitution, Cagliari. Samuele Longo replaces Duje Cop.
Booking
Paul-José M'Poku (Cagliari) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Seydou Keita (Roma) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Paul-José M'Poku (Cagliari).
Booking
Leandro Paredes (Roma) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Leandro Paredes (Roma).
Post update
Albin Ekdal (Cagliari) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Attempt saved. Daniele Verde (Roma) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Vasilis Torosidis.
Booking
José Holebas (Roma) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
