Dropped points by pre-matchday pacesetters AC Milan and Napoli earlier in the weekend presented Roma with a fantastic chance to, at least temporarily, summit the table. Their desire to do just that was clear during the early exchanges as they dominated.
Manu Kone was the first to test Zion Suzuki between the Udinese sticks, albeit with a tame shot, before Zeki Celik headed narrowly wide of the post.
Matias Soule then nodded wide himself prior to Udinese creating their best opportunity midway through the half. Arthur Atta was released into space, but with Wesley bearing down on him, the 22-year-old dragged his shot wide.
Roma almost made him pay immediately for that miss when Bryan Cristante hit the post from the edge of the area, and Udinese’s Hassane Kamara stung the palms of Mile Svilar from distance as the two teams stepped up their respective quests for the opener.
The first half’s decisive moment ultimately came just before the break, when a cross into the box hit the hand of Kamara, and following a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot. From 12 yards, the reliable Lorenzo Pellegrini made no mistake to give his side the advantage at the break.
After the interval, Adam Buksa hammered a rasping drive at Svilar, who was able to push the ball to safety.
The game was still evenly poised when Roma gave themselves extra breathing space around the hour mark. Celik had proven to be a threat throughout, and following a one-two with Gianluca Mancini, he side-footed a shot through a sea of bodies and into the back of the net.
In response, Udinese were not quite ready to give up, and only a brilliant Svilar stop from former Roma man Nicolo Zaniolo spared Evan Ndicka’s blushes following his poor pass.
Ultimately, though, Roma had done enough to get the win that sees them lead the way in Italy ahead of Inter Milan’s clash against Lazio. Importantly, this was only a second win in their last five home games, while Udinese remain in mid-table, with this a fourth successive match on the road without a victory.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Zeki Celik (Roma)
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