Roma are within 45 minutes of extending their advantage at the top of Serie to five points this afternoon, after taking an early lead at home to Sassuolo.

Rudi Garcia's side started brightly and quickly took control of possession, with Miralem Pjanic just failing to connect with Federico Balzaretti's inviting cross at the far post.

Sassuolo sat deep but offered a threat on the counter through Domenico Berardi, who forced Morgan De Sanctis into a smart stop early on.

On 19 minutes Roma took the lead thanks to a touch of fortune, as Alessandro Longhi turned into his own net after Alessandro Florenzi's effort from close range had initially been parried.

The Giallorossi were forced into a change on the half-hour mark, with Marco Borriello unable to continue.

Garcia resisted the temptation to call on Gervinho and instead introduced Michael Bradley, with Pjanic pushed further forward as Roma held their narrow advantage until the interval.