Roma beat Sampdoria, draw closer to leaders Inter Milan

 The Rome red-yellow side go into a three-week winter break lying second on 36 points from 17 games. Serie A champions Inter Milan lead the standings with 40 points ahead of Sunday's city derby against AC Milan.

 The Roma captain displayed a good form on his return from a long injury lay-off and scored his ninth goal this season, beefing up his record of best Serie A scorer in activity with 160 goals.

 Totti on 18 minutes took a penalty awarded for a Stefano Lucchini foul on Marco Ferrari and fooled Luca Castellazzi with one of his trademark drooping shots.

 Marco Cassetti had brought an earlier threat for Roma firing a firm but central shot, while the guests twice came close before the break.

 Christian Maggio on 29 minutes tried to finish off a counter attack but found Brazilian keeper Alexander Doni ready for a stunning deflection two minutes before Lucchini missed from close range.

 Roma's second goal went begging on 53 minutes when Castellazzi slapped above the bar a nasty long-range shot from Simone Perrotta.

 Four minutes later, Samp's equalizing efforts lost steam as they had captain Sergio Volpi dismissed for a double yellow card.

 The advantage allowed Roma to control the remainder of the game, coming close when Brazilian Mancini, who replaced Montenegro striker Mirko Vucinic, fired narrowly wide from the side.

 Doni, who played his 100th game with Roma, saved his side with three minutes to go, slapping wide a close-range shot from substitute Andrea Caracciolo before Totti laid in a cross from Cassetti.

 "I wanted to close 2007 in the best possible way. I am grateful to my team mates for helping me and allowing me to take the penalty," Totti said as he ended a two-month absence.

 A penalty converted earlier Saturday by Marco Borriello sealed Genoa's 1-0 win over visiting Parma. Borriello now lies level with Samp's Bellucci on eight goals.

DPA