Francesco Totti scored on his 500th professional appearance for AS Roma as the capital-based club closed the gap on leaders Inter Milan back to six points with a 2-0 win at Napoli.

Just a week after Inter floundered on the south coast, Roma produced a clinical performance to come away with the spoils and continue their recent surge.

Meanwhile, AC Milan boosted their hopes of securing Champions League football again next season by closing on the top four with a 3-1 victory at Empoli.

Simone Perrotta got Roma off to a dream start after only two minutes, converting a pass from Totti. Perrotta should have added a second but Matteo Gianello saved with his feet in the Napoli goal.

Totti celebrated his 500th appearance in all competitions for Roma with a successful penalty strike, after Daniele Mannini was harshly adjudged to have tugged back Cicinho as the little Brazilian ran into the box. The result continued Roma’s fine run which has seen them cut Inter’s Serie A lead from 11 to six points and also eliminate Spanish giants Real Madrid from Champions League.

In Empoli, Milan took the lead on 19 minutes through teenage Brazilian striker Pato who pounced on a loose ball dropped by goalkeeper Davide Bassi.

Empoli were the better side early on, creating more clear-cut chances and deservedly equalised through Antonio Busce, who rifled home at the back post when a cross somehow made its way through to him on 23 minutes.
Alberto Gilardino had the ball in the net for Milan moments later but it was ruled out for offside. Claudio Marchisio almost gave Empoli the lead in the second half but his shot cannoned back off the post with Milan’s Australian goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac a mere spectator.

But Milan then started to exert more and more pressure and the hosts capitulated four minutes from time.