Football | Italy
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Arsenal reject Gervinho scored his maiden goal for Roma as they beat Sampdoria 2-0 and moved two points clear of stumbling Napoli to stay top of Italy's Serie A on Wednesday.
Roma started their fifth match of the campaign top thanks to a one-goal difference over Rafael Benitez's title challengers Napoli.
And as Napoli failed miserably at the San Paolo to put league new boys Sassuolo to the sword – days after a 7-0 mauling by Inter Milan – Roma took full advantage to pull clear at the top.
Roma now have 15 points after five wins in as many games while Napoli sit two points adrift after a 1-1 draw with Sassuolo.
Champions Juventus moved up to third with a fortuitous 2-1 win away to feisty Chievo while Lazio outclassed second-from-bottom Catania 2-1 at the Olympic Stadium to sit sixth.
Injury-hit AC Milan, without the suspended Mario Balotelli, faced the banana skin of a trip away to Bologna and Massimiliano Allegri's men slipped badly before recovering in the final two minutes.
Two weeks after securing a late draw away to Torino, Robinho reduced arrears in the 89th minute before Ignazio Abate levelled in injury time to secure the visitors a lucky 3-3 draw.
Elsewhere, Parma claimed their first win of the season in a 4-3 home win against Atalanta while Jorginho scored a 67th minute penalty for Verona to claim a share of the points in a 2-2 away draw at Torino.
Inter host Fiorentina on Thursday in the last of the midweek matches although with both sides five points adrift of Roma neither can trouble Rudi Garcia's men.
Roma's win came in spite of Garcia being sent to the stands early in the second half for dissent following a heated discussion with the referee.
However the Frenchman, whose methods and recent successes have already won him fans among Italy's discerning football pundits, was soon given reason for cheer.
Roma took the lead in stunning fashion when Mehdi Benatia feinted his way into the area and beat 'keeper Angelo Da Costa with a shot he unleashed with his left foot despite being tripped and falling to the ground.
The points were virtually assured when Gervinho latched on to Francesco Totti's delivery to beat Da Costa with a low, angled shot moments before the final whistle.
Sampdoria woes deepened at the death when Antonio Barilla saw red after being cautioned a second time.
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