Nainggolan s brace in Roma s 3-1 triumph over Inter

Milan Feb 27 (IANS) Radja Nainggolan s brace drove capital football club AS Roma past Inter Milan 3-1 to cut the gap to Serie A football league leaders Juventus to seven at the San Siro stadium here.

The Belgian international on Sunday came up with two long-range strikes in the 12th and 59th minutes to put Roma ahead 2-0 before Inter captain Mauro Icardi tapped home a drive from Ivan Perisic with just under 10 minutes remaining to make a contest.

But after Roma star goal-poacher Edin Dzeko was fouled by Gary Medel in the box substitute Diego Perotti stepped up and put the result beyond doubt in the 84th minute.

The win moves Luciano Spalleti-coached Roma five points clear of Napoli in second spot in Serie A -- and 11 clear of Stefano Pioli s fifth-placed Inter. Roma remain seven points behind leaders Juventus.

It was a great performance and we deserved to take the lead and score a second. We didn t manage possession too well at times -- we gave it away too often - but it was a top match from us tonight Spaletti told Roma s official website.

--IANS
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