Roma 2-0 Spezia: Defence leads the way to victory

Chris Smalling and Roger Ibanez scored in either half to send Jose Mourinho’s side comfortably on the way to victory at the Stadio Olimpico, in a game where substitute Felix Afena-Gyan was cruelly sent off late on.

Spezia had the occasional chance to get on the scoresheet but in truth were always on the back foot after Smalling’s early opener, as Tammy Abraham also hit the bar and Felix had a goal ruled out.

Smalling's headed goal after six minutes came from an Abraham assist at a corner - the first time two English players have combined to score a goal in Serie A since Opta began collecting such statistics.

From that point the hosts always had a measure of control, although they rode their luck at moments - and needed Rui Patricio to bail them out at others - before Ibanez made it 2-0 in similar fashion early in the second half.

Then it was all about Felix's dramatic cameo: the teenager booked almost immediately for what appeared to be a shoulder-to-shoulder clash (where no foul was subsequently given), before seeing his delight at a thrilling late goal evaporate as a perceived handball meant a second yellow card was instead thrust his way.

There was no time left for Spezia to take advantage of that misfortune, however, as the game ended to a chorus of disapproval from the 45,000 fans inside the Olimpico.

Mourinho’s side are back in action on Saturday – they travel up north to face Atalanta in Bergamo.

ROMA 2-0 SPEZIA

GOALSCORERS: Smalling (6'), Ibanez (56')

ROMA (3-5-2): Rui Patricio; Ibanez, Smalling (Diawara), Kumbulla; Karsdorp, Veretout (Bove), Cristante, Mkhitaryan, Vina; Abraham, Mayoral (Afena Gyan)

SPEZIA (3-5-2): (3-5-2): Provedel; Amian, Erlic, Nikolaou; Gyasi, Maggiore (Bastoni), Sala (Kiwior), Kovalenko (Verde), Reca; Strelec, Manaj