ROME - Roma played without captain Francesco Totti but edged Lazio in a thrilling Eternal City derby to stay hot on the heels of leaders Internazionale.
Tommaso Rocchi fired Lazio into an early lead but the Giallorossi hit back courtesy of Mirko Vucinic, who was playing in place of the injured Totti.
Alessandro Mancini then put Roma 2-1 up before half-time and Simone Perrotta struck on 66 minutes to give Luciano Spalletti's team a two-goal cushion.
Cristian Ledesma gave Lazio a lifeline with a stunning free-kick 21 minutes from the end but Roma defended deeply and held on for the win.
The outcome leaves Roma three points behind Serie A leaders Inter, who won their game against Genoa 4-1.
Lazio went into the encounter looking to spark their season into life after back-to-back defeats at Werder Bremen and Livorno.
Delio Rossi's side had the first chance of the game with Massimo Mutarelli's header forcing goalkeeper Alexander Doni to make his first save.
At the other end, Max Tonetto's cross into the box found Mancini whose right-footed effort went high over the crossbar.
Lazio broke the deadlock when Goran Pandev's long cross found Rocchi, who got past Philippe Mexes, surged towards the area and fired past Doni.
Roma should have pulled level on 16 minutes but an unmarked Vucinic was twice denied by veteran goalkeeper Marco Ballotta inside Lazio's area.
Vucinic made amends soon afterwards, playing a one-two with Mancini before beating Ballotta with a left-footed strike.
The goal inspired the Giallorossi and they almost took the lead midway through the first half but Perrotta was unable to get behind Vucinic's dangerous cross.
Roma continued to press forward and Mancini's effort from distance went just wide of Ballotta's near post.
The experienced stopper then made a crucial save to block Vucinic's close-range attempt.
Roma's efforts finally paid off before half-time with Mancini playing a neat one-two with Mexes before his right-footed shot beat Ballotta.
Lazio showed great urgency after the break and nearly restored parity.
A sweeping move by the Biancoceleste saw Pandev cross towards Lorenzo De Silvestri but his close-range effort went wide, much to the despair of his team-mates.
It proved a costly mistake as Roma extended their advantage midway through the second period.
Vucinic's assist found Perrotta who lobbed the ball past Ballotta to make it 3-1.
Lazio never gave up and on 71 minutes a Ledesma free-kick hit the crossbar before barely falling over the goal-line and bouncing inside.
Roma began to panic just five minutes later when Rocchi's powerful right-footed effort forced Doni to punch away for a corner.
The Biancoceleste desperately searched for the equaliser but struggled find a way past Roma's resolute defence.
The result sees Lazio drop to 14th in the standings, 11 points behind Roma.
