Associated Press
MILAN (AP) — Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini went from yelling on the sidelines to smiling from the stands in a matter of minutes.
That was because Roma scored two goals shortly after his dismissal to seal a 3-1 victory at Cremonese, sending Gasperini’s team back to the top of Serie A ahead of the Milan derby.
Roma is two points ahead of defending champion Napoli and three ahead of Bologna and Inter Milan, who host AC Milan later on Sunday.
Milan, fifth in the standings, is two points behind Inter.
Cremonese had proven to be a tough opponent for several teams this season, and it took several impressive saves from Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar to keep them at bay.
Roma took the lead with their first clear chance of the game. Manu Koné played a one-two with Lorenzo Pellegrini before finding Matías Soulé on the edge of the area, who curled a fantastic shot into the top left corner.
Svilar sent a Cremonese shot against the post, and the hosts also had a penalty overturned by VAR just before halftime after the ball struck Roma defender Gianluca Mancini’s arm.
The referee confirmed the handball was “not punishable” because Mancini’s arm was at arm’s length.
Gasperini was sent off in the 62nd minute. The Roma coach, furious after being booked for dissent, repeatedly shouted “I didn’t say anything,” earning himself a second yellow card. He stormed off the pitch.
Two minutes later, Roma doubled their lead when the ball bounced around in the box before falling to substitute Evan Ferguson, who curled a shot into the net for his first goal for the club.
Gasperini may not have been in position to see that goal, but he was shown on television beaming after Roma’s third goal in the 69th minute.
Wesley played the offside trap to run onto Stephan El Shaarawy’s through ball and slot it past the speedy Emil Audero.
Relegation battle
Mateo Pellegrino scored twice to help Parma beat Hellas Verona 2-1 in a crucial relegation fight.
Parma is now three points clear of the relegation zone, while Verona drops to bottom, three points from safety.
