The Eternal City giants took the lead through Juan in the 11th minute before Fabio Quagliarella restored parity for the visitors a minute later.

But a Rodrigo Taddei strike in the 27th minute ensured all three points for the Romans while their opponents shot themselves in the foot as they were forced to play the last 11 minutes with just nine men after the dismissals of Giampiero Pinzi and Andrea Dossena.

With Juve having been held to a goalless draw by AC Milan on Saturday, Roma made sure to secure a win that sees them climb two points clear of the Bianconeri and three behind leaders Internazionale.

Inspired by their midweek 4-1 triumph at Dynamo Kiev, which earned the Giallorossi a place in the Champions League's last 16, Roma dominated the opening stages.

Taddei sent an early warning to Udinese with his close-range effort forcing goalkeeper Samir Handanovic to dive to his right to clear.

The Giallorossi's efforts were soon rewarded with Ludovic Giuly's shot from David Pizarro's corner parried away by Handanovic but only as far as Juan who fired past the keeper.

The home fans' joy was shortlived, however, as just seconds later, Udinese equalised.

Pepe's cross found Quagliarella and his right-footed effort beat goalkeeper Alexander Doni.

The Romans reacted and could have gone in front midway through the first half had Daniele De Rossi's header from Pizarro's cross not gone just over the crossbar.

At the other end Gokhar Inler tried his luck from long-range and forced Doni to make a fine save.

Roma pressed forward and were soon rewarded with Giuly's assist finding Taddei whose close-range strike beat the keeper.

Udinese mustered little before the break, with the exception of Antonio Di Natale's free-kick going high over the bar.

The Friuli outfit could have drawn level shortly after the re-start though but Doni did well to save Gaetano D'Agostino's left-footed strike.

On the hour mark, Udinese were lucky not to concede their third of the afternoon with Handanovic coming off his line but failing to clear and Mirko Vucinic's angled effort going inches wide of the near post.

Roma should have killed the game off soon after, but Juan's first touch from Alessandro Mancini's cross went wide.

On 78 minutes, Pinzi was given his marching orders after a rash tackle on Juan and, seconds later, Dossena joined him in the dressing room after taking his protestations too far.

Despite their numerical inferiority, Pasquale Marino's men had a golden chance to equalise with five minutes remaining.

Di Natale served an unmarked Floro Flores inside the area but his right-footed strike was saved by Doni.

Roma held on for their eighth league win of the season while the result sees Udinese drop to fourth in the standings.