Premier League

Roma Show Why They Lead Serie A

Two first-half goals from captain Francesco Totti helped AS Roma beat Inter Milan 3-0 and extend their perfect start to the Serie A season.

Totti has been in scintillating form so far this term, notching a goal and six assists before this contest, and he steered his Roma team to a seventh straight victory. The 37-year-old broke the deadlock at San Siro with a low drive from the edge of the area on 18 minutes and thumped in a second from the penalty spot as half-time approached. It was Totti’s 230th Serie A strike, leaving him 44 behind Silvio Piola in the all-time rankings.

Alessandro Florenzi’s angled drive from a beautifully weighted Kevin Strootman pass put Roma out of sight before the break, though it was not all good news for the Giallorossi, who had full-back Federico Balzaretti sent off in the second half.

Earlier, Maximiliano Moralez’s first goal since September 2012 and an excellent showing from goalkeeper Andrea Consigli helped Atalanta beat Chievo Verona 1-0 and send their opponents to a third consecutive defeat. It was the first time Atalanta had won away against the Flying Donkeys in Serie A.