Roma scored twice in the closing stages to beat Cagliari 4-2 at the Stadio Olimpico and extend their unbeaten Serie A record this season to six wins and three draws.
The hosts had started brightly, with Elia Caprile forced to save Gianluca Mancini’s header inside the opening five minutes. But Roma then fell behind when Michel Adopo’s flicked header from a corner struck Niccolo Pisilli’s hand.
M’Bala Nzola sent Pierluigi Gollini the wrong way from the penalty spot to give Cagliari the lead. It was only the second first-half league goal Roma had conceded this season.
Their response was immediate. Nahuel Molina delivered a cross which 19-year-old Emanuele Lulli headed past Caprile for his second goal in as many appearances.
Lulli continued to influence the match, crossing for Santiago Castro, whose header narrowly missed the target, before helping Roma move ahead. His delivery created the opportunity for Pisilli to atone for conceding the penalty with a composed finish.
Caprile kept Cagliari in the contest by saving a Matias Soule free-kick. At the other end, Gollini denied Adopo before Nzola sent a shot inches wide as the visitors searched for an equaliser.
Both goalkeepers were tested again after the interval. Caprile held Castro’s latest effort, while Gollini came out on top when Alieu Fadera broke through one-on-one.
Cagliari continued to press and Gollini made two more important saves, first keeping out Juan Rodriguez and then producing an even better stop to deny Paul Mendy’s low drive.
The pressure finally appeared to have paid off with nine minutes remaining. Adam Obert found Daniel Maldini, who finished superbly into the bottom corner to level the match.
Roma substitute Matias Soule was denied by Caprile as the home side immediately tried to regain the lead, but Cagliari could not hold out. Two replacements combined in the 85th minute, with Daniele Ghilardi crossing for Rodrigo Mora to score with a powerful header.
Donyell Malen then restored Roma’s two-goal advantage just two minutes later. The substitute, who had scored nine goals in his previous 10 games, reacted first when the ball rebounded favourably and tapped it over the line.
The result moves Roma back to within four points of arch-rivals Lazio at the top of the table. Cagliari, meanwhile, have lost their past three league matches and remain in mid-table.
Emanuele Lulli was named Flashscore’s Man of the Match.