Roma have closed the gap on Serie A leaders Inter Milan to a single point by earning a 2-0 win in the Derby della Capitale against city rivals Lazio.

There was controversy in the opening 10 minutes, as Santiago Gentiletti brought down Edin Dzeko and a penalty was given, although the contact between the players appeared to happen just outside the box.

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Dzeko stepped up to take the resulting spot kick and maintained his composure to slot the ball down the middle and past the stranded Federico Marchetti.

Lazio looked for an immediate response and Antonio Candreva soon fired an attempt over the bar down the other end of the pitch.

Felipe Anderson came even closer for the visitors with a stinging drive from range that had Wojciech Szczesny beaten, before crashing against the bar.

Roma were then also denied by the woodwork as Radja Nainggolan fired in a low effort that struck the post.

However, the hosts did manage to extend their lead just past the hour mark as Gervinho raced onto Nainggolan's defence-splitting pass and drilled a strike beyond Marchetti at the near post.

Candreva then saw a free kick deflect narrowly wide, before Miroslav Klose fired over the top late on, as Roma saw out the match to claim bragging rights over their biggest rivals.