Roma run keeps going

Matteo Brighi doubled his tally of goals for the season as AS Roma regained second spot in Serie A with a 4-1 victory against US Città di Palermo, the Giallorossi's 20th match without defeat in all competitions and ninth win in a row.

With the aid of a deflection, Brighi volleyed in Francesco Totti's corner on 33 minutes and then turned provider shortly after the break for Júlio Baptista after the Palermo defence failed to clear a cross into the penalty area. Brighi scored his second of the night, and fourth league goal of the season, just past the hour mark before an 80th-minute penalty from Fabrizio Miccoli gave the fifth-placed vistors hope.

However, John Arne Riise then struck for a Roma team that had dropped down to third on Friday, after AC Milan beat Udinese Calcio, but are now within six points of leaders FC Internazionale Milano, who visit SSC Napoli on Sunday. UC Sampdoria climbed above Napoli and Palermo into fourth following a 2-0 defeat of ACF Fiorentina in tonight's other game, Franco Semioli and Giampaolo Pazzini scoring first-half goals.