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Serie A

Jan 6, 2016 at 2pm UK

Chievo AC Chievo Verona
3-3
Roma

Paloschi (44'), Dainelli (58'), Pepe (86')

FT(HT: 1-2)

Umar (7'), Florenzi (37'), Falque (71')

Match Report

Football

Simone Pepe haunts former club Roma

By Liam Apicella, Features Editor | 06 January 2016

Chievo's Simone Pepe strikes four minutes from time to peg back his former club Roma in a six-goal contest at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi.

Roma lost ground in the Serie A title race after they played out a 3-3 draw away at Chievo this afternoon.

It seemed that the visiting Romans were going to cruise to the three points when they opened up a two-goal first-half advantage, only for the hosts to peg them back.

Umar Sadiq celebrates during the game between Chievo and Roma on January 6, 2016 © AFP

However, a strike from Roma midfielder Iago Falque 19 minutes from time put his side back in command, but ex-Giallorossi midfielder Simone Pepe then found the net in the dying embers to ensure that the spoils would be shared.

Roma dominated large parts of the first half, which meant that it came as little surprise when the deadlock was broken in just the seventh minute.

Former Arsenal winger Gervinho jinked his way into the Chievo penalty area and when he drilled the ball towards the back post, Nigerian youngster Sadiq Umar was on hand to slide it in.

Alessandro Florenzi celebrates during the game between Chievo and Roma on January 6, 2016 © AFP

The lead was then doubled eight minutes before the break by Alessandro Florenzi, who pounced on a defensive error to fire in his sixth goal of the campaign for club and country.

It was a spirited response from Chievo, though, as they got themselves back level thanks to goals from Alberto Paloschi in the 44th minute and then Dario Dainelli two minutes short of the hour mark.

Just when attention turned to the strugglers scoring what had earlier seemed to be an unlikely third goal, it was Roma that regained the lead.

Dario Dainelli scores during the game between Chievo and Roma on January 6, 2016 © AFP

Former Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Falque was afforded too much space on the edge of the box and he duly punished Rolando Maran's side with a low shot that nestled in the bottom corner.

Yet, fifth-placed Roma were denied the victory when Pepe, who left the club in 2003 without having played for the senior side, curled in from 20 yards out.