Totti and Perrotta on target as Roma move to second place

Captain Francesco Totti, Simone Perrotta and Jeremy Menz scored for Roma in a 3-0 defeat of Cagliari Saturday at Rome's Stadio Olimpico.

The goals from the two 2006 world champions and the French substitute Menez helped the side from the capital move into second place in the Italian Serie A with a three-point gap from leaders AC Milan, who play Sunday along with the other league big guns.

Cagliari started off well and threatened on six minutes with a drive from Andrea Cossu that Julio Sergio flew to deflect from under the bar.

It took Roma a while to rev up their game, but they took the lead on 21 minutes, when Totti converted from the spot after a foul on Daniele De Rossi.

Michael Agazzi saved a firm shot from Marco Borriello before a first half that Roma closed in full control.

The Sardinia guests had a brisk reaction after the break, but Perrotta secured the win on 69 minutes with a tap-in after Agazzi fumbled a header from Borriello, and Menez finished off a late counter attack.

Palermo defeated Brescia 1-0 earlier Saturday to keep up their chase of a berth in a European competition next season.

Defender Cesare Bovo curled home the winning free-kick in the 86th minute of relentless attacking that made Brescia goalkeeper Michele Arcari the man of the match.

Palermo are now level on points in sixth position with Juventus, who playing Sunday at Sampdoria.

Also on Saturday, Parma defeated Catania 2-0 to steer clear of relegation worries thanks to second-half goals from Antonio Candreva and free kick by specialist Sebastian Giovinco.

The defeat left the Sicily guests and their new Argentine coach Diego Simone three points clear of the drop zone.

On Sunday, champions Inter Milan are away to solid Udinese, leaders Milan host lowly Cesena, Napoli play Bari and Lazio take on Bologna.