Match day: 24

               ROMA-INTER

                                                                  4-1

Roma and Inter continue on their way

....as Roma continue to challenge for the title and Inter continue to sink

Roma continued challenging for the title and kept the pace with Milan, who earlier today won 3-1 to Sampdoria, which meant that a loss at the Olimpico for Roma would have meant a hit against a wall for their hopes because Juventus won yesterday 3-2 away to Brescia. Inter now find themselves in 7th place after Udinese drew to Pergia and now skip Inter with 1 point more than them, 37 points. On the other hand Inter had to win so that they get their selves out of the crisis which seems never ending. Roma thought they were already in front when Emerson slotted through Toldo's legs but it was disallowed for a dubious offside. Inter responded immediately when Adriano received from Helveg and hit the post from an angled position. Cassano wasted a golden chance when he controlled and from the edge of the box his shot was too weak to trouble Toldo. Kily Gonzalez could have put the Nerazzurri in front but fired over Pelizzoli's bar. 31 minutes gone first yellow card came for Helveg after he tripped Dacourt. Vieri had a wonder chance when he unmarked himself and from the edge of the box he mis-kicked the ball. With 38 minutes on the clock, Totti thought he had overcome his own record, when he slotted into the net for his 15th goal of the season, but once again the Olimpico crowd roared when the linesman disallowed the goal for an offside.           

Photos-( Mancini's foot touching the ball (marked with a circle) between Helveg's legs which means that Totti is in an irregular position). Vieri could have scored but he fired well over the bar. Adani was cautioned when he fouled Cassano. Roma supporters thought that their side was in front when Samuel slotted into the net but unbelievably once again it was disallowed this time for a foul on Inter goalkeeper, Toldo. Finally Roma went in front when Italian sensation, CASSANO received from Totti, avoided Cordoba and Cannavaro and coolly placed the ball his shot past Toldo.   

Photos-(Cassano scores the first of the match). The second half saw the first good chance for Inter when Vieri heeled a ball for Adriano who saw his shot blocked by Lima. Farinos was the third Inter player to be cautioned after he tripped Mancini. Adriano gave way to Martins in the 60th minute. C.Zanetti was another to be cautioned, this time for fouling Dacourt. Roma doubled their lead when Cassano brilliantly played to MANCINI who dribbled Adani in the box and gave no chance to Toldo to save his effort.  

Photos-(Mancini avoiding Adani and making it 2-0).

Inter had a great chance to get back in the game when Martins came face to face with Pelizzoli but failed to score, with the keeper saving the Nigerian's effort. Karagounis was close as well seeing his long effort shot inches away from goal. VIERI got back a goal for Inter, after half-volleying a deflected shot.

Photos-(Vieri scoring Inter's only goal). Farinos gave way to Van Der Mejde on the 38th minute of the second half. Roma were awarded a penalty when Cassano raced into the area and Cordoba charged him, to bring him down, seeing Rosetti send off the Colombian and the following penalty was converted by TOTTI who set up a personal record of 15 goals in a season, beating his previous record of 14 goals. 

Photos-(Toldo nearly saving Totti's penalty). Vieri was also yellow carded for protesting. Roma continued to feast when the last match's effort saw Cassano who was brilliant on the evening, skipping Helveg and setting up the easiest goal in the world for MANCINI to make it 4-1 on the 48th minute. Photos-(Cassano passing to Mancini who doesn't miss to put Roma 4-1 up).

The final whistle saw Inter heading closer to repeating a negative record of 5 consecutive losses, which they hadn't made since 1956/57 and Roma now await the spectacular encounter next week of Juventus-Milan at the Delle Alpi where they can take advantage of this fixture.