Lecce 0-1 Roma: Dzeko's header the difference

In the sweltering heat of late summer Puglia, Dzeko rose to steer home Henrikh Mkhitaryan's inviting chipped cross shortly after half-time - in what would prove to be the decisive moment of the contest.

Aleksandar Kolarov subsequently saw his penalty attempt saved by Gabriel - but the Giallorossi successfully kept a first Serie A clean sheet to add another important three points.

With almost a sell-out crowd in attendance at Stadio Via del Mare, Lecce had plenty of reasons to put on a show - and they started brightly.

Indeed it was Pau Lopez that was undoubtedly the busier of the two goalkeepers in the first half, although he rarely looked troubled - and the visitors, who perhaps should have had a penalty for an early handball, seemed to be finding their rhythm the longer the game went on.

In the second half, courtesy of Dzeko's intervention, that patience was rewarded. Moments after the striker had set up Mkhitaryan only for the Armenian to fire wide, the roles were reversed as Dzeko steered his header home.

When Dzeko had another shot blocked by a hand 20 minutes later, the Giallorossi had the chance to kill off the game. Kolarov was denied by Gabriel, but fortunately it did not change the outcome of the contest.