Roma thrashed Fiorentina 4-1 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome for their Friday evening Serie A clash.
A brace for former Fiorentina star Mohamed Salah and one each for Stephan El Shaarawy and Diego Perotti closed the tie, despite Josip Ilicic netting a consolation goal from the penalty spot.
After a lot of huffing and puffing, the Giallorossi took the lead through Stephan El Shaarawy, the Italian tapping home a simple opportunity when Mohamed Salah found him in the box. Salah, of course, a former Fiorentina player, was then gifted a slice of fortune when he doubled the score. A deflection off Davide Astori took the ball over the head of Ciprian Tatarusanu, who could only watch as the Egyptian punished his former employers.
It could have become far worse for La Viola moments later, but the shot from Diego Perotti rolled into the post and back into play.
However, the visitors simply couldn’t cope with the attacking forays from Roma and the Argentinian did find himself on the scoresheet. A wonderful run from El Shaarawy ended in a cleverly disguised pass to Perotti, who hit it first time past Tatarusanu.
The game seemed all but resolved, but some hope presented itself when substitute Cristian Tello won a penalty for the visiting side.
Josip Ilicic stepped up and buried his effort past Wojciech Szczesny, making it the final act of a dramatic half.
In the second half however, the normal service resumed as Roma added to their substantial lead. A wonderful through-ball from Miralem Pjanic was met by Salah, who darted forward and put the ball through the legs of Tatarusanu.
The results moves Roma to just three points behind of Napoli who are in second, while Fiorentina hold onto their position in fourth.
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com