Roma labour to Palermo victory

AS Roma´s midfielder David Marcelo Cortes Pizarro(R) fights for the ball with Edinson Cavani of Palermo during their Serie A match in Rome´s Olympic stadium. AS Roma kept up their valiant chase of runaway Serie A leaders Inter Milan with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Palermo on Saturday.

      ROME (AFP) - AS Roma kept up their valiant chase of runaway Serie A leaders Inter Milan with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Palermo on Saturday thanks to a goal from Brazilian Alessandro Mancini.

      The victory against the Sicilians at Rome's Stadio Olimpico was enough to cut Inter's lead at the top of the table to four points, for 24 hours at least, ahead of the champions' trip to Udinese on Sunday.

      But this performance was nothing more than workmanlike from an uninspired Roma side that will need to play much better in the coming weeks if they are to keep the pressure on the champions.

      Match-winner Mancini, who has been stalling on signing a new contract, insisted the capital-based club still believe they can land the title.

      "They (Inter) have to play a difficult match in Udine, Roma just have to concentrate on their own matches and never give in," he said before refusing to commit on signing a new deal.

      "I've been here for five years and I've always given my all on the pitch even when I haven't played well. I feel good here but in life anything can happen."

      Roma captain Francesco Totti was honoured before the match with a golden ball trophy to commemorate his 200 goals for the club, although he failed to add to those on the evening.

      Simone Perrotta had an early chance to open the scoring for the hosts but dragged his volley from 10 yards just past the far post.

      On 34 minutes Cristian Zaccardo found himself in acres of space inside the box from a free-kick but the Palermo defender directed his header well wide of goal.

      Roma had most of the ball but struggled to break down their organised opponents, although they were given a helping hand in the second half when Leandro Rinaudo was harshly given a straight red card for a rash tackle.

      Just two minutes later, Roma were in front when Mancini rose above goalkeeper Alberto Fontana to head home a corner from compatriot Rodrigo Taddei.

      Roma almost doubled their advantage late on in stoppage time but French centre-back Philippe Mexes thudded the post with a bullet header from Brazilian substitute Cicinho's right-wing cross.

      Former Roma forward Antonio Cassano was the match-winner as Sampdoria continued their push for European qualification with a 1-0 home win over Siena.

      Sampdoria are up to sixth, and a UEFA Cup qualification position, after the victory.

      Cassano had earlier hit the bar with a rasping long-range effort that beat the goalkeeper before he pounced on a defensive mistake to curl home the winner from 15 yards a minute before the break.