Roma 3-0 Bologna: Match report, reaction and key statistics

The winger - who was denied a fourth goal by a dubious officiating decision - delivered a scintillating performance throughout, showing a cutting edge in front of goal as Roberto Donadoni's visitors were left helpless.

Salah was perhaps fortuitous to open the scoring after 13 minutes, as his tame shot was deflected past the goalkeeper by Adam Masina. But there was nothing accidental about his two second half strikes, as he ensured another emphatic home win for the Giallorossi.

The result means Luciano Spalletti's side are back up to second in the Serie A table, still four points behind league leaders Juventus.

Roma continued their prolific goalscoring form at the Olimpico this season, although this time it was Salah - and not league top scorer Edin Dzeko - who was delivering the killer blows.

He scored three but it could easily have been five or six - had the Egypt international been a bit luckier, or a bit more selfish, at a number of different points.

As it was his coach will still have been delighted at his display, which saw him put the Bologna defence to the sword.

Roma now sit on 26 points from 12 games - one point clear of AC Milan and three ahead of both Lazio and Atalanta, all of whom the Giallorossi are set to face over the coming weeks.

Team selection

Injuries made Luciano Spalletti's selection somewhat straightforward, with the coach given limited options across his defence. In the end he opted to play Antonio Rudiger at centre-back alongside Federico Fazio, while Leandro Paredes' slight knee concern meant he was replaced by Kevin Strootman in midfield.

Further forward there were few surprises, with Diego Perotti starting his first Serie A game in a couple of weeks alongside Salah and Edin Dzeko.

Key moments

FIRST HALF

2' - First chance of the game falls to Bologna ... Krejci gets in behind the defence but flicks his shot narrowly wide.

3' - Worrying moment for the hosts - Sadiq has the ball in the net, but the ball was out of play before Taider crossed.

6' - Slow start from Roma, but Rudiger does well to end a Bologna counter and put his side on the attack.

8' - First Roma chances. Bruno Peres flashes over from 25 yards after De Rossi's low free-kick hits the wall.

11' - Big chance for Roma! Perotti releases Dzeko on the counter, and his run and shot is just fractionally wide!

13' – GOAL! ROMA LEAD! Perotti gets behind and passes for Salah - whose shot is deflected past the goalkeeper and in! 1-0!

28' - Comfortable save for Szczesny - Sadiq goes for glory from distance but it's straight at the goalkeeper.

30' - So close! Peres runs into the box and finds Radja with a great cutback but he narrowly misses the bottom corner!

43' - Bruno Peres prods an improvised effort over the bar - Roma pushing for a second goal here...

44’ – Perotti hits the side-netting after a great lay-off from Salah!

See more images in our match gallery.

SECOND HALF

47' - Immediate chance! Salah sprints clear on the counter and finds Dzeko, whose shot is deflected wide!

50' - Two great chances for Roma - as Dzeko and then Salah force fine reflex stops from Da Costa!

60' - Close again for Salah! The forward runs onto Edin Dzeko's pass and shoots, but Da Costa stops with his legs!

62' - GOAL! ROMA ARE TWO CLEAR ! Salah is played in by Strootman, and he makes no mistake with the one-on-one chance!!! 2-0!

70' - GOAL! SALAH HAT-TRICK! The winger unselfishly passes to Dzeko and, when the striker's shot is parried, is on hand to bury the rebound! 3-0!

82' - Salah should have four! First he unselfishly passes in the box - then he turns Radja's cross narrowly over!

Key match statistics

See more match statistics in our match centre.

Social media reaction

Roma reaction

To follow...

"I'm delighted about the hat-trick. We have to carry on exactly as we are. We want to win every game."The international break is about to begin and afterwards we have to continue in this manner. We all want to win something for Roma."

- Mohamed Salah

"I was anticipating us being a tad off the pace and maybe not hitting the heights, but in actual fact we only struggled a little at the start then did well when we shifted up a gear. We finished the game fantastically. You have to hand it to the lads for their performance tonight.”

- Luciano Spalletti

What's next?

The international break gives all Italian sides a brief period to take a breath and evaluate their season so far.

Roma are next in action on the 20th November, as they travel to face Atalanta.

ROMA 3-0 BOLOGNA

Goalscorers: Salah (13', 62', 70')

Roma: Szczesny; Peres (Gerson), Rudiger, Fazio, Jesus; De Rossi, Strootman; Salah (El Shaarawy), Nainggolan, Perotti; Dzeko.

Bologna: Da Costa; Krafth, Ferrari, Helander, Masina (Torosidis); Taider (Pulgar), Nagy, Viviani; Dzemaili, Sadiq (Destro), Krejci.