Having dropped down the standings after AC Milan beat Udinese last night, Roma wasted no time in taking the place back.

A Cesare Bovo own goal in the 33rd minute set them on their way to victory with a scoreline that was far more convincing than their performance at the Stadio Olimpico.

Julio Baptista added the second in the 53rd minute before Matteo Brighi got his name on the scoresheet 10 minutes later.

Fabrizio Miccoli reduced the arrears with a dubious penalty in the 80th minute but a stunning strike from John-Arne Riise three minutes later secured the win for Claudio Ranieri's in-form Giallorossi.

Sampdoria's fourth win in a row lifted them to fourth as they downed an out-of-sorts Fiorentina 2-0 tonight.

Franco Semioli put the Blucerchiati on their way to victory in the 16th minute and Giampaolo Pazzini sealed the win in the 40th minute with his first goal against his former club.

The Blucerchiati climbed above Palermo and Napoli, who host Inter Milan tomorrow, leaving Fiorentina languishing in 11th position and struggling for form ahead of a testing Champions League tie against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.