ROME: Roma went provisionally top of the Serie A standings with a 3-1 win at Cremonese where Irish striker Evan Ferguson came off the bench and ended his almost 13-month goal drought at club level.

Roma are on 27 points, two ahead of Milan – who moved up to second spot on 25 points after beating Inter 1-0 – and defending champions Napoli. Cremonese are 12th in the table.

In an action-packed first half which included a Roma goal ruled out for offside and a Cremonese penalty overturned, the visitors took the lead through Matias Soule in the 17th minute.

Ferguson was introduced on the hour mark, and four minutes later netted his first goal for Roma. Wesley Franca wrapped up the win after another five minutes, with Francesco Folino heading in a stoppage-time consolation goal for the hosts.

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