In-form Roma keep up victory charge

      ROME (AFP) - Italian league table toppers Roma beat Dynamo Kiev 2-0 in their opening Champions League match here on Wednesday to keep up their victory charge this season.

      Luciano Spalletti's men were expected to keep up their winning ways, against this Ukrainian side which won their league and cup double last season, and goals from Simone Perrotta and Francesco Totti did just that.

      Perrotta scored the first goal of the match, directing a glancing header at the near post from Max Tonetto past Kiev keeper Olexandr Shovkovskiy for his second goal in the competition in the ninth minute.

      Totti had a freekick on target just after Roma defender Juan hit a post as the home side dominated.

      Kiev had little to show for their efforts in the first half except a yellow card shown by referee Alain Haimer of Luxembourg on midfielder Ayila Yussuf who had fouled Mancini.

      Kiev brought on midfielder Diogo Rincon and striker Serhiy Rebrov in the second half while striker Ludovic Giuly came on for Roma as both sides made changes.

      However it was left to Totti to make certain of victory with 20 minutes left. Perrotta won possession in the middle of the pitch and sprinted forward before sliding the ball to Totti on his right hand side. Totti then swept the ball past Shovkovskiy to confirm victory.

      Defender Marco Cassetti could have made it three goals for the Italian side when he hit the post in the 89th minute.