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Totti scores in 500th game

AS Roma captain Francesco Totti celebrates with teammate Alberto Aquilani ohn his back after converting a penalty against Napoli at the San Paolo Stadium in Naples, Italy, on Sunday. PHOTO: AFP

Francesco Totti scored on his 500th professional appearance for AS Roma as the capital-based club closed the gap on leaders Inter Milan back to six points with a 2-0 win at Napoli on Sunday.

Just a week after Inter floundered on the south coast, Roma produced a clinical performance to come away with the spoils and continue their recent surge.

Meanwhile, AC Milan boosted their hopes of securing Champions League soccer again next season by closing on the top four with a 3-1 victory at Empoli.

Simone Perrotta got Roma off to a dream start after only two minutes, converting a pass from Totti.

Perrotta should have added a second but Matteo Gianello saved with his feet in the Napoli goal.

Totti celebrated his 500th appearance in all competitions for Roma with a successful penalty strike, after Daniele Mannini was harshly adjudged to have tugged back Cicinho as the little Brazilian ran into the box.

The result continued Roma's fine run which has seen them cut Inter's Serie A lead from 11 to six points and also eliminate Spanish giants Real Madrid from the Champions League.

In Empoli, Milan took the lead on 19 minutes through teenage Brazilian striker Pato, who pounced on a loose ball dropped by goalkeeper Davide Bassi.

Empoli were the better side early on, creating more clear-cut chances and deservedly equalized through Antonio Busce, who rifled home at the back post when a cross somehow made its way through to him on 23 minutes.

Alberto Gilardino had the ball in the net for Milan moments later but it was ruled out for offside.

Claudio Marchisio almost gave Empoli the lead in the second half but his shot cannoned back off the post with Milan's Australian goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac a mere spectator.

Milan remain fifth but are just one point behind Fiorentina, who lost 1-0 at Siena.

Former Middlesbrough striker Massimo Maccarone scored the only goal of the game with a blistering free-kick 10 minutes from time, only to then be dismissed for picking up a second booking after an overly exuberant celebration when he stripped off his shirt.

Giampaolo Pazzini had missed Fiorentina's best chance of the game in the first period, firing wide after bursting into the box with only the goalkeeper left to beat.

In the day's late match third-placed Juventus moved four points clear of Fiorentina courtesy of a 2-0 victory at Genoa.
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