Roma 4-1 Palermo: Match report, reaction and key statistics

Looking to bounce back after the disappointing draw with Austria Wien in midweek, Luciano Spalletti’s side made no mistake as they secured the three points – with Mohamed Salah, Leandro Paredes and Edin Dzeko giving the Giallorossi a 3-0 advantage with 10 minutes remaining

Palermo did make it 3-1 for a brief period – Quaison beating Wojciech Szczesny with a heavily-deflected strike – but there was to be no repeat of Thursday’s drama, as Stephan El Shaarawy fired back almost immediately to end any debate about the result.

The win puts Roma second in the Serie A table, with the same number of points as AC Milan and just two behind leaders Juventus.

On a landmark evening for the club - Daniele De Rossi and Francesco Totti passed a combined 1000 league games for their hometown club on the night - it was imperative that Luciano Spalletti's side secured three points to keep pace with the frontrunners in the league. And that they certainly did, in some style too.

It took 30 minutes for the opener - Salah firing between the goalkeeper's legs after being played in by Dzeko - but from that point on Roma played with a confidence and swagger that offered plenty of encouragement.

Just after half-time it was 2-0, as Paredes grabbed his first goal since returning to the club with an inswinging free-kick that beat everyone on its way past the goalkeeper.

The second half also saw Dzeko continue his prolific goalscoring form, completing a fine team move with a pinpoint finish, before Quaison's fortuitous effort briefly threw a spanner in the works.

But El Shaarawy grabbed his third goal in two games to put an end to any fears of a repeat of Wednesday night - wrapping up the three points in style with a clinical finish inside the near post.

Team selection

The noteworthy selection for coach Spalletti was Emerson Palmieri at right-back - the Brazilian coming into the side as Bruno Peres remains sidelined and Alessandro Florenzi was deemed not fit enough to start the contest.

Elsewhere it was a familiar lineup, with Stephan El Shaarawy continuing in attack after his two-goal performance in midweek against Austria Wien.

With Kevin Strootman also not considered fit enough to start, Leandro Paredes continued in midfield alongside Daniele De Rossi - who captained the side once again.

Key moments

FIRST HALF

3’ – El Shaarawy fools the defence. Paredes free-kick is cleared.

7’ – Dzeko has the game’s first shot – straight at the goalkeeper.

12’ – El Shaarawy shoots narrowly wide after Dzeko splits the defence.

18' - CLOSE! EL Shaarawy cuts inside and forces a good save from Posavec - and the rebound is cleared with Dzeko looming!

20' - Another save! This time it is Emerson who forces Posavec into a smart stop from 25 yards! Corner to Roma...

28' - Manolas picks up a booking for a foul on Aleesami.

31’ – GOAL! Dzeko gets the ball to Mo Salah inside the box, and the forward fires his shot through Posavec's legs! A smart finish! 1-0!

37': Diamanti goes for the far corner from the free-kick, but he shoots high and wide as Szczesny dives after it.

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See more images in our match gallery.

SECOND HALF

51' - GOAL! Leandro Paredes swings in the free-kick dangerously from out wide ... and confusion in the box sees it curl past the goalkeeper and in! 2-0!

55' - Good save from Szczesny ... Diamanti finds a yard and hits a low shot from distance ... but the keeper parries it.

56' - Another good save! Andelkovic rises highest to meet the cross - but somehow Szczesny claws it away!

68' - GOAL! Edin Dzeko is on fire! Thee striker expertly finishes off a beautiful team passing move with a smooth finish into the bottom corner! 3-0!

79' - Goal. Palermo get one back ... Quaison finds the net with a wickedly deflected strike. 3-1.

81' - GOAL! GAME OVER! El Shaarawy drives into the box and prods his shot inside the near post! 4-1!

90' - Could have been five! Strootman rounds the keeper and passes across goal but no-one is there ... Salah recovers and Elsha fires over!

Key match statistics

See more match statistics in our match centre.

Social media reaction

Roma reaction

"It was a great victory. We didn't make the mistakes we made against Austria Wien, in other words giving the ball away stupidly."After we went into a 2-0 lead, we controlled the game, kept possession well and managed to score a couple more to make it 4-1. Now we just need to add more consistency." 

- Stephan El Shaarawy

“We did well in the second half, even though we could have done better at certain points and exploited some situations better. Nevertheless, we scored three good goals. Our foundations are stronger than what we've shown before. The players still need to produce something extra."

- Luciano Spalletti

What's next?

Two away trips now await the Giallorossi, with Sassuolo first up on Wednesday night.

At the weekend Spalletti's side then travel to a side deeply familiar to the boss, Empoli, as they aim to continue their recent run of domestic form

ROMA 4-1 Palermo

Goalscorers: Salah (30'), Paredes (51'), Dzeko (68'), El Shaarawy (82'); Quaison (80')

Roma: Szczesny; Emerson, Manolas, Fazio, Jesus (Florenzi), De Rossi, Paredes, El Shaarawy, Nainggolan (Strootman), Salah, Dzeko (Totti).

Palermo: Posavec; Cionek, Goldaniga, Andelkovic, Morganella (Rispoli); Gazzi, B. Henrique, Aleesami; Diamanti (Jajalo), Chochev (Quaison); Nestorovski.