Roma 4-0 Cagliari: Giallorossi continue perfect start under Daniele De Rossi with dominant win to go fifth in Serie A

Roma made it three wins from three under new manager Daniele De Rossi with a 4-0 victory at home to Cagliari in Serie A.

They made the perfect start, taking the lead in just the second minute of the game with Lorenzo Pellegrini scoring for the third game running.

Cagliari struggled to deal with a near post corner and Pellegrini pounced on the uncertainty to stab in the loose ball.

Bryan Cristante went close to doubling their lead shortly after but he saw his back post effort hit the woodwork, having been picked out by a delightful cross from debutant Angelino.

Roma did get their second midway through the first half with a stunning team goal.

After setting Cristante free with a dummy on the halfway line, Paulo Dybala continued his run and swept the ball into the net when Cristante’s cross was worked back across the box.

Cagliari thought they had been given a chance to pull themselves back into the game just before half time, but referee Matteo Marcenaro reversed his decision to award a penalty having consulted the pitchside monitor for a closer look at a collision between Gianluca Lapadula and Diego Llorente.

A spot kick was awarded to Roma, however, just five minutes into the second half when Cristante’s header from a corner hit the arm of Andrea Petagna.

Dybala stepped up to roll the ball into the net and all but secure victory for the hosts at the Stadio Olimpico.

De Rossi made a stream of second half changes including the introduction of teenage defender Dean Huijsen, who put the gloss on Roma’s night by getting his first goal for the club with a towering header from a corner.

The win takes Roma up to fifth in the Serie A table, one point behind Atalanta in the coveted fourth and final UEFA Champions League qualification spot.

Claudio Ranieri's Cagliari remain in the relegation zone in 18th place, behind Hellas Verona on goal difference and one point back from Udinese and Sassuolo.

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