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Roma have kept the Scudetto race alive by doing what Inter couldn't last week - conquer Napoli.
The San Paolo is proving to be the crossroads of the Scudetto, as last week Inter's unbeaten record was ended here, reducing the gap to six points. Now the Giallorossi faced the same test and were fresh from an historic midweek Champions League victory over Real Madrid, but still remembered the epic 4-4 draw between these sides at the Olimpico earlier this season.
Francesco Totti was able to start despite a bout of 'flu, but Ludovic Giuly, Matteo Ferrari and Marco Cassetti were absent. There were no Roma fans, as they were banned from travelling over fears about public safety. Luciano Spalletti was celebrating his 300th Serie A match.
Incredibly, it took just 80 seconds to break the deadlock. Matteo Contini's error allowed Totti to thread through for Simone Perrotta, who sprung the offside trap and placed an angled drive into the far bottom corner.
Napoli fought back as Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marcelo Zalayeta caused constant problems, while Philippe Mexes had to clear a dangerous Marek Hamsik free kick.
Roma were so close to a second, again with Perrotta, on the counter-attack but Matteo Gianello stuck out a foot to keep the scoreline down.
Napoli were pouring forward, but this played into the Giallorossi's hands with space at the back and Gianello once again used his feet to deny Totti's finish from point-blank range.
Alexander Doni smothered a Daniele Mannini curler, but after the restart the referee pointed to the spot for a soft penalty as Mannini nudged Cicinho. Totti marked his 500th match in a Roma jersey by converting to double their lead.
Totti curled a long-range free kick over and Napoli thought they were back in it, but Lavezzi was offside when he went clear and rolled across for Hamsik's tap-in.
Napoli prepared for the final push and Domizzi stung Doni's palms. Domizzi turned in after some fantastic work from Lavezzi, but was booked as it was evident handball.
Lavezzi suddenly turned on the turbo and was unstoppable, dribbling past a series of Giallorossi shirts, while Doni palmed a Domizzi piledriver round the near post. Mexes clashed heads with Zalayeta and the Frenchman was stretchered off.
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