Roma 2-0 Parma

Roma enhanced their prospects of a Champions League place with victory over top-four rivals Parma at the Stadio Olimpico.

Nicolas Burdisso scored early in the second half before Matteo Brighi added a second late on to lift the Giallorossi above Parma on goal difference and ensure a positive end to 2009 for Claudio Ranieri's side.

Parma ended the game with 10 men after Massimo Paci was sent off for a second bookable offence three minutes from time.

The visitors went into the encounter holding a three-point advantage over Roma but were but a shadow of the side that beat Bologna 2-1 in the last round, mustering just two shots on goal in the entire game.

The hosts, looking to extend their six-match unbeaten run, controlled possession early on and should have taken an eighth-minute lead.

Mirko Vucinic latched onto Francesco Totti's cross but his header went wide.

Midway through the first-half, Parma goalkeeper Antonio Mirante made a fine save from Juan's powerful header.

At the other end, Blerim Dzemaili tried his luck from distance and his 35-yard strike was saved by Roma goalkeeper Julio Sergio.

The hosts almost broke the deadlock shortly after the half-hour mark, with Brighi getting behind Rodrigo Taddei's assist only for his close-range strike to be parried away by Mirante.

Roma twice had the chance to go in front before the break.

Vucinic did well to control Taddei's cross from the right but his volley went high while shortly after, David Pizarro warmed the palms of Mirante with a stinging drive from distance.

Roma picked up where they left off after the re-start and their efforts paid off in the 48th minute.

Parma failed to clear Taddei's cross and the ball fell to Burdisso, who struck from the six-yard box into the bottom right-corner of Mirante's goal.

Roma almost extended their lead within four minutes.

Vucinic served Totti on the edge of the area, whose lobbed attempt was deflected by Mirante towards the far post.

Parma almost pulled level on the hour mark.

Burdisso's poor clearance was intercepted by Nicola Amoruso, whose 20-yard strike went over the bar.

Parma then put a good move together in the 64th minute.

Daniele Galloppa found Valeri Bojinov inside the area, whose powerful strike towards the far post forced Julio Sergio to clear at full stretch.

In the 67th minute, Ranieri was forced to make a substitution with Totti having picked up a knock on his right knee, with Stefano Okaka coming on as replacement.

With 12 minutes remaining, Amoruso almost equalised but his right-footed strike from the edge of the area went over the bar.

At the other end, Mirante palmed substitute Julio Baptista's bullet strike from distance over the bar.

Paci's sending off hurt Parma, who conceded their second deep in stoppage time.

Vucinic found Brighi inside the area and he struck past Mirante with the last kick of the game.