Mattia Destro grabbed a hat-trick to help Roma beat Cagliari 3-1 and move to within five points of Serie A leaders Juventus.

The home side started brightly and Mauricio Pinilla should have done better when he was picked out in the box by Daniele Dessena, but he headed the ball over.

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Maicon was the first Roma player to threaten, but his volleyed attempt from distance flew high over the bar.

Midway through the first half Nene was inches away from giving the Rossoblu the lead when his curling free kick narrowly missed the top corner.

Despite creating very little, Roma took the lead with a goal just past the half-hour mark.

Following a quick break, Gervinho managed to get to the byline and pulled the ball across the box for Destro to slot home from close range.

Cagliari had a chance to draw level in the last minute of the half, but Daniele Conti saw his low free kick from just outside the box deflect wide of the post.

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Elven minutes after the break Roma doubled their lead, as Destro was played through on goal by Radja Nainggolan, before sliding a composed finish past Vlada Avramov.

The hosts came close to an immediate response, but Pinilla's effort was saved by Morgan De Sanctis.

Roma continued to dominate and further extended their lead in the 73rd minute. Alessandro Florenzi whipped a low ball across the box that was met by Destro to fire home and complete his hat-trick.

With a minute of the match left to play, Pinilla scored a penalty after he had been fouled inside the box by Mehdi Benatia, but it proved to be just a consolation as Roma held on for a sixth-straight win.