Mohamed Salah on Tuesday ended a three-month goalscoring drought to help AS Roma win 2-0 at US Sassuolo and move provisionally fourth in Serie A.
Roma were almost made to rue their profligacy in front of goal when Sassuolo was awarded a penalty with three minutes left — and with the scoreline still 1-0 — after a foul on Lorenzo Pellegrini by Radja Nainggolan, who was sent off for a second yellow card.
However, Domenico Berardi ballooned his spot-kick over the bar and Stephan El Shaarawy sealed the win in stoppage time with his second goal in as many matches since joining Roma on loan from AC Milan following a disappointing loan spell at Monaco.
It was the first time Roma had won two successive league matches since October last year and saw the capital side move above Inter on goal difference. Inter were to host AC Chievo Verona yesterday.
“I had the confidence of the coach right from the start and I thank him a lot for that,” El Shaarawy said. “Today I think we had a great game, even if we suffered a bit, but we suffered in the right way. We are happy with the three points and we have to continue like this.”
Salah got Roma off to a great start in the 11th minute, curling an effort into the far side of the net from the edge of the penalty area. It was his first league goal since Oct. 25 last year.
Roma missed several chances to extend their lead before the penalty, while Sassuolo goalkeeper Andrea Consigli pulled off a string of saves — including a fantastic fingertip to nudge El Shaarawy’s shot over the bar.
Sassuolo also went close on occasions as the hosts increased the pressure in the second half.
Diego Perotti, who had joined on loan from Genoa until next year on transfer deadline day 24 hours earlier, won the ball and cut it back for the Italy forward to slide into the net.
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