Roma substitute Marco Cassetti struck in the second half to sink Lazio into further misery in a sunday derby.The Biancoceleste dominated the encounter at the Stadio Olimpico but it was Roma who found the finishing touch.
Cassetti scored 11 minutes from time to hand Roma their third consecutive triumph after Lazio striker Mauro Zarate had been denied by the post.
Roma ended the game with 10 men after David Pizarro was sent off for a double booking three minutes from time.
The outcome has lifted Roma to sixth position in the standings, one point behind fourth-placed Parma, who hold the last Champions League qualifying position.
The result will be another blow for Davide Ballardini's Lazio, who are without a win since August 30 and remain one point clear of the drop zone after 15 games played.Roma went into the clash looking for their third consecutive league triumph.
The match began on time despite the unruly scenes outside the stadium but the referee did stop play early in the first half when fireworks thrown by a section of Roma supporters landed on the pitch.
Aleksandar Kolarov was first to test Roma goalkeeper Julio Sergio with his powerful free-kick, which was well saved by the Roma goalkeeper.At the other end, Lazio goalkeeper Nestor Muslera did well to come off his line to anticipate Mirko Vucinic.
When play resumed after a six-minute delay caused by the fireworks, Roma showed more determination and had a good chance to break the deadlock in the 26th minute.
Jeremy Menez forced Muslera to dive to his right to save his right-footed strike towards the far post from the edge of the area.
On the half-hour mark, Matuzalem's cross-cum-shot from the right almost stunned Julio Sergio, who was forced fully stretch to clear the ball out of danger.In the 42nd minute, Zarate put a good move together, getting past two Roma defenders before surging inside the area only for his cross towards Matuzalem to be intercepted by Julio Sergio.
Roma coach Claudio Ranieri made a substitution before the break with Philippe Mexes forced to leave the pitch with a knee injury and replaced by Cassetti.
Lazio picked up where they left off after the re-start and Zarate's left-footed strike from the edge of the area towards the near post was saved by Julio Sergio.In the 57th minute, an unmarked Cassetti should have done better but fired straight at Muslera from the edge of the area.
Lazio were unlucky not to break the deadlock on the hour mark, with Zarate's right-footed strike from eight yards beating Julio Sergio but rebounding off the near post towards the path of Stefano Mauri, whose strike was met by a fine clearance from the Roma goalkeeper.Just when Lazio were playing at their best Roma made the breakthrough.
Vucinic's cross from the right found Cassetti at the heart of the area and his right-footed volley towards the near post beat Muslera.
Shortly afterwards, Muslera made a stunning save to palm John Arne Riise's right-footed volley from the edge of the area over the bar in what looked to be Roma's second of the evening.Lazio desperately searched for an equaliser but time ran out as Roma held on for victory.
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