Roma have registered a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Catania at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

The visitors took the game to Rudi Garcia's side in the opening minutes as Tiberio Guarente, Sebastian Leto and Lucas Castro all had chances to open the scoring.

However, it was Roma who broke the deadlock on 18 minutes through Mehdi Benatia, who headed home Mattia Destro's headed pass following a corner.

Gervinho came close to making it 2-0 to the hosts midway through the first half when he shot on target, only to see his effort saved by goalkeeper Alberto Frison.

Miralem Pjanic also had a chance to double Roma's lead just past the half-hour mark when he was set up by Michael Bradley outside the box, but his shot was too high.

The hosts continued to dominate proceedings as the second half got underway, with chances falling to Adem Ljajic, Francesco Totti and Dodo.

Then on 55 minutes Mattia Destro put the game beyond Catania with Roma's second goal of the afternoon, finding the target with his right foot from just yards out.

Four minutes later Benatia made it 3-0 by heading in Ljajic's delivery from the centre of the visitors' box.

Ljajic was the creator of Roma's fourth goal as well 10 minutes from time when he released Gervinho to shoot home with ease from inside the Catania box.