MILAN — AS Roma pounced on two dreadful Lazio mistakes to claim a 2-0 win in a hot-tempered derby which was boycotted by its own supporters Sunday.
Lazio defender Wallace gifted Roma the lead in the 64th minute when he tried to dribble his way out of defense but was easily dispossessed by Kevin Strootman who chipped his shot over helpless Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.
Roma doubled its lead 13 minutes later when Radja Nainggolan caught Marchetti napping with a low shot from 35 meters that bounced twice as it entered the net at the goalkeeper's unguarded near post.
There was an unsightly scuffle involving players and officials from both teams after the first goal, sparked when Strootman squirted water at Lazio substitute Danilo Cataldi who grabbed the Dutchman's shirt by the collar.
Strootman was booked and Cataldi given a red card.
There was also controversy in the first half when Roma's Bruno Peres appeared to be tripped on the edge of the penalty area by Lucas Biglia.
The referee initially awarded a free kick to Roma, then pointed to the penalty spot on the indication of the goal line official, then changed his mind again, reverting to his initial decision.
Lazio, which was technically the home side in the Stadio Olimpico, has not won any of its last seven meetings against Roma, a run going back to the 2013 Coppa Italia final.
Roma's Curva Sud area was empty as its hardcore supporters continued a long-running stay-away campaign in protest at security measures which they say have destroyed their fan culture.
Roma stayed second in Serie A on 32 points, level with AC Milan and four behind leader Juventus. Napoli, Lazio and Atalanta are a further four points behind.
Milan needed a late goal from Gianluca Lapadula to beat bottom side Crotone 2-1 after Mbaye Niang had earlier missed a penalty.
Diego Falcinelli gave Crotone a 26th-minute lead and Mario Pasalic headed the equaliser four minutes before the break, his first goal since joining Milan on loan from Chelsea in the close season.
Milan was awarded a penalty early in the second half and Niang won an argument with Lapadula over who should take it, only for Alex Cordaz to save his shot brilliantly.
Lapadula grabbed the winner in the 86th minute and was booked for his exuberant celebration.
Two first-half penalties, the first converted by Lorenzo Pellegrini and the second by Federico Ricci, helped Sassuolo to a 3-0 win over Empoli, which ended its nine-match winless run in all competitions. Antonino Ragusa scored the third early in the second half.
Sampdoria beat Torino 2-0 with second-half goals from Edgar Barreto and Patrick Schick, while Gianluca Caprari scored in stoppage time to give lowly Pescara a 1-1 draw at home to Cagliari.
The Sardinians went ahead through Marco Borriello in the 24th minute and played the entire second half with 10 men after Davide Di Gennaro was sent off.
