Stephan El Shaarawy's double helps Roma to victory over Udinese

Posted Saturday, September 23, 2017 by PA

Stephan El Shaarawy scored twice as Roma continued their fine form with a 3-1 win against Udinese in Serie A.

The Italy forward scored twice in the first half as Roma made it three straight wins and handed Udinese a third successive defeat.

It took Roma 12 minutes to break the deadlock. Radja Nainggolan lost his footing on the edge of the area but was still able to poke the ball through to Edin Dzeko, who calmly slotted in low to Albano Bizzarri's right for his fifth goal in three games.

Dzeko turned provider on the half-hour mark as his cross from the left was stabbed home from close range by El Shaarawy, who then added a third in farcical circumstances just before half-time.

Diego Perotti's 'rabona' from the right could only pick out Jens Stryger Larsen but the Danish defender hesitated before missing the ball when attempting a back pass and ended up on the floor as El Shaarawy pounced.

Roma missed the chance to make it 4-0 in the 89th minute when Perotti's penalty hit the left-hand post after he went down under Gabriele Angella's challenge.

Stryger Larsen ran through a minute later to score a consolation, the first goal Roma have conceded in four games.