Man United loanee Smalling scores one, assists two in Roma win

On loan Manchester United defender Chris Smalling scored one and provided two assists in Roma's 3-0 win over Brescia on Sunday.

The Englishman, who joined Roma on a season-long in the summer, opened the scoring with a header from a Lorenzo Pellegrini corner, which found its way into the back of the net via a deflection from Brescia defender Andrea Cistana on 49 minutes.

On 57 minutes he turned provider as his powerful header back into the box from Justin Kluivert's cross was turned in by defensive partner Gianluca Mancini, who finished with a superb acrobatic effort over Brescia goalkeeper Jesse Joronen.

Nicolo Zaniolo thought he had added a third on 63 minutes but saw his goal ruled out as the video assistant referee (VAR) had adjudged the ball had gone out of play in the build-up.

Andreas Solaro/AFP via Getty Images

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But Roma did make it 3-0 on 66 minutes as another header from Smalling allowed Edin Dzeko to tap home a third from close range. The Bosnia international's goal was looked at by VAR for a potential offside, but it was ruled he was just on.

Brescia -- who were without star forward Mario Balotelli, who had been dropped following a training ground incident -- thought they had reduced the deficit on 86 minutes when Florian Aye had bundled home.

However, VAR intervened again due to a handball from Brescia forward Alfredo Donnarumma.

"It was the perfect start after the international break," Smalling said after the match. "We are coming into some big games now and go into Thursday [Europa League clash with Istanbul Basaksehir] now with a lot of confidence."

The victory saw Roma move back into the Champions League places ahead of Cagliari's clash with Lecce, while Brescia remain bottom.