Roma regain the winning habit as promoted Carpi are outclassed

Roma returned to winning ways in Serie A with a 5-1 home thrashing of Carpi.

Their first victory in three attempts was secured by Kostas Manolas, Miralem Pjanic and Gervinho in the first half, with Mohamed Salah and Lucas Digne adding gloss to the scoreline after the break.

Marco Borriello's goal, a diving header, offered scant consolation as promoted Carpi remained winless.

Roma scored their first goal in the 24th minute when Manolas tucked away Digne's clever assist with his right foot.

The Giallorossi were soon two goals to the good thanks to Pjanic, whose free-kick whipped past Zeljko Brkic and into the bottom corner.

Such was Roma's incision that Gervinho was able to get his first league goal since November by tapping in after Brkic's clumsy attempt to gather Maicon's low cross.

Carpi bit back with arguably the best effort of the goal rush, Borriello launching himself at a low cross from Gabriel Silva to bamboozle Morgan de Sanctis at his near post.

But the home side were soon back on the goal trail after the break, with on-loan Chelsea winger Salah rolling in the loose ball after Francesco Totti's shot was saved in the 51st minute.

Seventeen minutes later it was 5-1 when Digne connected with Maicon's cross at the far post.

Carpi could have scored again but Ryder Matos' penalty was saved by De Sanctis, who also smothered the follow-up effort.