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Mohamed Salah hits hat-trick for Roma ahead of Ghana clash

Egypt attacker, Mohamed Salah scored the first hat-trick of his Roma career to deliver an emphatic 3-0 win over Bologna at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday night just a week to his nations FIFA World Cup qualifying clash against Ghana.

Luciano Spalletti's men went into the game knowing anything but victory would put a significant dent in their title challenge. Juventus had earlier beaten Chievo 2-1 to move seven points clear of them while AC Milan temporarily took second place after beating Palermo by the same scoreline.

The Stadio Olimpico faithful could be forgiven for looking to top scorer Edin Dzeko for inspiration but it would ultimately be the diminutive Egyptian who would make the difference.

The winger - who was denied a fourth goal by a dubious officiating decision - delivered a scintillating performance throughout, showing a cutting edge in front of goal as Roberto Donadoni's visitors were left helpless.

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Salah was perhaps fortuitous to open the scoring after 13 minutes, as his tame shot was deflected past the goalkeeper by Adam Masina. But there was nothing accidental about his two second half strikes, as he ensured another emphatic home win for the Giallorossi.

The result means Luciano Spalletti's side are back up to second in the Serie A table, still four points behind league leaders Juventus.

Roma continued their prolific goalscoring form at the Olimpico this season, although this time it was Salah - and not league top scorer Edin Dzeko - who was delivering the killer blows.

He scored three but it could easily have been five or six - had the Egypt international been a bit luckier, or a bit more selfish, at a number of different points.

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