Two scorchers from Radja Nainggolan put Roma on course for victory against Inter Milan this evening and helped ensure Luciano Spalletti’s men kept up the pace with Serie A leaders Juventus.

Inter struggled to cope with Roma’s attacking play in the opening 20 minutes, with Mohamed Salah’s penetrating runs sowing confusion among Inter’s defence.

After just 12 minutes, Roma were ahead courtesy of a Nainggolan stunner. The Belgian international trapped the ball on the right-hand side, cut inside and curled his shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Edin Dzeko very nearly doubled Roma’s lead on 35 minutes, only to see his low rasping shot parried away by Samir Handanovic.

Following an anaemic first half, Inter began the second half with more verve.
But Nainggolan struck again in equally spectacular fashion after 55 minutes. Picking the ball up behind the halfway line, the midfielder surged forward and then whipped a fizzling shot into the net from outside the box.

Picking the ball up behind the halfway line, the midfielder surged forward and then whipped a shot into the net from outside the box.

Mauro Icardi gave Inter a glimmer of hope when he grabbed a goal on 81 minutes, but the hosts’ dreams of a comeback were short-lived, with Roma winning a penalty just three minutes later following a Gary Medel foul on Dzeko.

Diego Perotti cooly walked his penalty run-up and slotted the ball home.

The win took Roma to 59 points, seven behind leaders Juventus. Inter remain sixth on 48 points, one point ahead of city rivals AC Milan and three away from fourth-placed surprise team Atalanta.