Totti, 35, struck twice in the opening minutes of Roma's 5-1 win over Cesena at the Stadio Olimpico overnight.

Totti scored his 211th goal in 486 league appearances for Roma, boasting a strike every 0.43 games, as Roma went three goals ahead within eight minutes of the kick-off.

Daniele Arrigoni's men endured a day to forget as they slumped to a heavy defeat, continuing what has been an appalling run of form of late – recording five defeats in their past six games.

Totti broke his way into the record books by slotting home after just 30 seconds of the first half. Teenage winger Erik Lamela received the ball deep inside the Cesena box, classily back-heeling for Totti, who struck a venomous shot past goalkeeper Antonioli.

Lamela set up Totti's and Roma's second, lobbing a pass into Totti's path, who made it four goals in 12 games.

Roma quickly made it three within a minute of Totti’s second, as Leandro Greco crossed a pin-point delivery into Fabio Borini’s path to slot home from short range.

Cesena collected a small consolation for a poor overall performance with an equaliser from Eder.

Goals from Juan and a fine Miralem Pjanic solo effort completed the rout.

Roma move into the top five, having played a game more than Inter, who face Lazio on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Juventus overcame Atalanta 2-0 at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia to clinch the unofficial title of Serie A winter champions.

After a slew of first-half chances went begging, Stephan Lichtsteiner belatedly headed the visitors in front 10 minutes after the restart.

Substitute Emanuele Giaccherini volleyed home a well-taken second with eight minutes left to claim victory for Juventus, who provisionally move four points ahead of nearest rivals AC Milan.

The result sees Juventus move four points clear at the top, but that lead could be cut after Milan’s fixture against Novara on Sunday.

Atalanta meanwhile remain in 15th place, five points off the relegation zone.