Roma beat Sassuolo 3-0 to climb to second as Lazio's lead shrinks

Roma beat Sassuolo 3-0 on 7 November, and the win lifted them into second place in Serie A, Italy's top division. Reuters Gian Piero Gasperini's side had lost to Manchester United earlier in the week, so the reply mattered.

Roma led 2-0 at half-time. Mario Hermoso put them ahead in the 27th minute. Sebastian Walukiewicz turned the ball into his own net, which is an own goal, and Rodrigo Mora added the third. A crowd of 64,674 watched at the Olimpico. The Guardian Roma took 28 shots in the match, shots being attempts at goal.

Roma are still unbeaten after 11 Serie A games, and they have scored 31 times in that stretch. That record is the reason their name now sits near the top of the table.

Lazio were the league leaders going into the international break, the pause when club football stops so countries can play their national teams. They had not lost a league match. On 8 November they went to Napoli, and the Maradona stadium finished 1-1. Davide Frattesi scored Lazio's goal. ESPN

The draw ended Lazio's winning run in the league, and their lead at the top was cut to a single point. Inter moved to within one point of the top as well. Reuters Lazio's manager, Gennaro Gattuso, will have time to think about that gap before the league resumes.

For casual fans, the picture is simple. Three clubs are separated by very little, and the games after the break will decide who finishes on top.