Chris Smalling and Roger Ibanez scored the goals when Roma won 2-0 over Spezia on Monday, when Felix Afena Gyan was sent off in stoppages.
Roma grabbed an early lead against the Aquilotti at the Olimpico, as a corner kick from the right found Tammy Abraham in the box. The English striker headed it across to compatriot Chris Smalling, who scored the opening goal with a header after only six minutes.
The Giallorossi controlled possession in the first half and the hosts were close to doubling the lead after 24 minutes, when Abraham flicked it to Matias Vina, who tried to find the corner but was stopped by Ivan Provedel.
Spezia had their first attempt after 34 minutes, but Arkadiusz Reca was stopped by Rui Patricio. Roma was again close to grab the second right before half-time, when Henrikh Mkhitaryan found Abraham free at the far post. The English striker chested the ball towards goal, but only managed to find the woodwork.
The rebound ended up with Jordan Veretout but Dimitris Nikolaou and Martin Erlic both threw themselves in to save on the line.
There was a moment of fear in the Curva Sud, as reports arrived regarding a man who suffered a cardiac arrest in the stands. Medical staff immediately intervened, and the man was taken to the Gemelli Clinic after coming to his senses, as the Curva remained silent for a while.
Roma doubled the lead after the break, from another corner kick and another goal from a defender. The first time since March 2020 that Roma have scored two headers in the same Serie A match. Last time was against Cagliari.
Roger Ibanez scored his third of the season with a great header to beat Provedel and give the Giallorossi a breather.
Only nine minutes later, Roma could have been reduced to 10 men, as Marash Kumbulla arrived late in a challenge on Agudelo, who was too quick for the Kosovo international.
Kumbulla hit the Spezia player with the studs up and VAR looked at the situation but allowed the defender to continue.
Mkhitaryan had a chance from just outside the area after 68 minutes, when he bounced the ball under two rushing Spezia players but the finish with the left foot never scared Provedel.
Rey Manaj was close to scoring for another time after 78 minutes, when the attacker was stopped by Rui Patricio, and then Emmanuel Gyasi was offside for the tap-in.
Kelvin Amiani came close to reducing the deficit after a cross from Simone Bastoni, as his header went just wide. Matias Vina was one of the most impressive players for Roma on Monday night, but he had a problem in the 89th minute and play stopped for a while.
The defender continued and three minutes were added, as Spezia continued to push for a goal at the Olimpico in stoppages.
Felix Afena Gyan was booked for a shoulder barge earlier in the second half and the young substitute was sent off in stoppages, after having smashed the ball into the net.
The youngster celebrated the goal, but the referee disallowed the goal for handball in the build-up and gave the striker his second yellow card.
Mourinho’s men did the job at the Olimpico and climbed up to join Juventus at sixth in Serie A. La Lupa kept a clean sheet and secured three important points on Monday night.