Jeremy Menez wanted his chance and he got it, scoring a splendid goal to give Roma victory away to Chievo.

Two sides on the rise met at the Bentegodi, as Chievo finally ended a run of six straight defeats with a shock 1-0 win away to Udinese, while the Giallorossi had won five of their last six in all competition. The Flying Donkeys were still propping up the table, though, and had scored only five times at home all season.

The last three meetings had been draws, including a 4-4 in April 2006, but Chievo hadn't beaten Roma home or away since January 2003. The visitors missed Alberto Aquilani, David Pizarro, Stefano Okaka, Max Tonetto and striker Mirko Vucinic.

Jeremy Menez was given a rare start after threatening to walk away this week and he made an immediate impact. After 10 minutes he dribbled past three defenders down the left channel, dummied a fourth and his curling finish was palmed round the far post by Stefano Sorrentino.

Alexander Doni was also tested, as Mauro Esposito and Sergio Pellissier exchanged passes in the box and the goalkeeper intercepted the final ball before Pellissier could tap in from six yards.

Roma incredibly failed to open the scoring on 25 minutes, as Menez again skipped past two players down the left and rolled across for Matteo Brighi's simple tap-in, but Sorrentino somehow managed to parry with one hand from point-blank range!

Gianpiero Pinzi went into the book and will be suspended for Chievo's next match with Inter.

Philippe Mexes' looping header turned a Daniele De Rossi free kick just wide, but the Frenchman was carded for kicking the ball away just before the break, earning a very vocal telling-off from Luciano Spalletti.

Roma again went extremely close after the restart and once more Menez was involved. He threaded through for John Arne Riise, who cut back for Julio Baptista and only a Mantovani goalline clearance prevented Chievo from going behind.

Sorrentino parried two Totti snapshots with an outstretched hand, as the Giallorossi increased the pressure. Mario Yepes did well to tackle the captain as he charged towards the box.

Spalletti threw on Rodrigo Taddei for Baptista to widen Roma's play and moments later his cross was smacked by Simone Perrotta for yet another fantastic Sorrentino save.

Menez eventually managed to defeat the seemingly unstoppable Sorrentino and marked a fine overall performance. De Rossi knocked down for a fierce and precise right-foot volley that flew into the top corner where even Sorrentino could not reach.

Cicinho skimmed the frame of the goal soon after, but Chievo also threatened an equaliser, as Pellissier got down the left and Esposito nodded his cross just wide of the upright.

Sorrentino beat away a Riise free kick, while Iunco's header was too weak and straight at Doni.

There was tension in the closing stages, as Brighi was perhaps harshly shown a second yellow card for his challenge on Bentivoglio.

Nonetheless, this left Roma room for the counter, as Cicinho set up Riise only for the former Liverpool man to hesitate and allow Moro to deflect for a corner.