Roma close gap to leaders after SPAL win

Roma have moved level on points with third-placed Juventus after beating 10-man SPAL at the Stadio Olimpico.

The visitors, who started the game inside the relegation zone, saw their hopes of climbing out of the bottom three dashed following Felipe's sending-off for a rash challenge on Edin Dzeko in the ninth minute.

Roma capitalised, taking the lead eight minutes later after Dzeko latched on to Stephan El Shaarawy's through-ball to score from six yards out.

Later in the first half, the Giallorossi doubled their lead when Kevin Strootman rifled his shot past Alfred Gomis from close range.

Eight minutes after the break, Roma looked to have put the game beyond the reach of SPAL when Aleksandar Kolaraov was allowed plenty of space to cross for Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bullet header proved too much for Gomis.

SPAL were given the chance to pull a goal back from a penalty almost immediately when Kostas Manolas scythed down Luca Mora.

Federico Viviani saw his Panenka effort saved by Alisson, but the forward was able to tuck home the rebound.

However, Roma were able to keep the Biancazzurri at bay to move to within four points of leaders Napoli for the time being.