England striker Tammy Abraham is thriving at Roma after leaving European champions Chelsea.
The forward on whom Jose Mourinho persuaded Roma to spend 40 million euros ($44 million) in August was decisive for a second consecutive game as Roma clinched a crucial match for Champions League places in Serie A on Saturday. beat Atalanta 1-0.
Abraham’s first-half goal was his 20th in all competitions for Roma and it struck a late attack after another 1-0 win against Spezia last weekend.
The win extended Roma’s unbeaten streak to seven matches and drew the Gialrossi level on points with Atalanta three points behind fourth-placed Juventus, as well as qualifying for the top four for the Champions League.
Shortly after the half-hour mark, Rick Karsdorp intercepted an Atalanta pass, then Niccol Zaniolo set up Abraham, who darted between two center backs to complete the counterattack.
Earlier, a header from Roma defender Gianluca Mancini hit the crossbar.
Abraham attributed Roma’s recent success to “solidarity”.
“We are learning more and more about each other every day,” he said. “A few months ago we might have scored at the last minute. But we fought as a team today.”
After the goal, Abraham kissed his shirt – which he said was a tribute to a team that “lifted me up” after a “short time” in his career.
“I will do everything for this club,” said Abraham.
Mourinho served the second game of a two-match ban for insulting the referee.
Lazio beat Cagliari 3-0 with goals from the Ciro Immobile, Luis Alberto and Felipe Anderson, one point behind Atalanta and Roma.
Immobile’s penalty was his 143rd Serie A goal for Lazio, matching Silvio Piola’s club record. Alberto then ended a counterattack after an exchange with Felipe Anderson, who scored himself after the hour mark by dribbling past four defenders.
Earlier, Udinese made a move towards safety in a 2-1 win over Sampdoria with goals from Gerard Deulofeu and Destiny Udogi.
read all breaking news, today’s fresh news And Assembly Election Live Updates Here.