Roma return to winning ways in Serie A after drubbing lowly Carpi
Roma returned to winning ways in Serie A with a 5-1 home thrashing of Carpi.
A first victory in three attempts was authored by Kostas Manolas, Miralem Pjanic and Gervinho in the first half, with Mohamed Salah and Lucas Digne making the points safe after the break. Marco Borriello's consolation goal from a diving header did nothing to hurt his former employers and promoted Carpi remain winless.
Roma scored their first goal of a one-sided rout in the 24th minute, when Manolas tucked away Digne's clever assist with his right boot. The Giallorossi were soon two goals to the good thanks to Pjanic, whose free-kick whipped past an immobile Zeljko Brkic and into the bottom corner.
Such was Roma's incision that even Gervinho was able to get among the goals. The Ivorian grabbed his first league goal since November by tapping in Brkic's clumsy attempt to gather Maicon's low cross. Carpi bit back with arguably the best effort of the goal rush, Roma old boy Borriello launching himself at a low cross from Gabriel Silva to bamboozle Morgan de Sanctis at his near post.
But the Giallorrossi confidently wrested back control after the break with on-loan Chelsea winger Salah rolling in the loose ball after Francesco Totti's shot was saved in the 51st minute.
Seventeen minutes later it was 5-1 when Digne connected with Maicon's cross at the far post. Carpi could have notched again but Ryder Matos' penalty was saved by De Sanctis, who also smothered the follow-up effort.
