SASSUOLO 0 ROMA 2

Egypt midfielder Mohamed Salah scored his first Serie A goal since late October as Roma battled to a 2-0 win at Sassuolo.

The Giallorossi had secured a maiden victory for new manger Luciano Spalletti against Frosinone in the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, and were made to work hard for three points by Eusebio Di Francesco's well-organised side, who missed a late penalty which would have made it 1-1.

After seeing an early shot from Nicola Sansone saved by Wojciech Szczesny, Roma went ahead on 11 minutes when Salah, on loan from Chelsea, cut in from the right to dispatch a curling shot past Andrea Consigli.

Brazil defender Maicon drilled wide following a counter attack, but the visitors needed a couple of good saves from Szczesny, the on-loan Arsenal keeper, to stay ahead at half-time.

Sassuolo, who started the evening in seventh place, five points behind Roma, continued their momentum in the second half as Roma sat back on the lead.

Domenico Berardi and Nicola Sansone both went close, before Stephan El Shaarawy, just signed on loan from Monaco, forced Consigli to tip his goal-bound effort over.

Then with just three minutes left, Sassuolo were handed the chance to level from a penalty after Lorenzo Pellegrini was upended by midfielder Radja Nainggolan, only for Berardi to send his spot-kick over the crossbar.

As they pressed for another opening, Roma hit on the break as Diego Perotti got away before squaring for Stephan El Shaarawy to tap in his second goal in as many appearances.