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Manolas breaks Inter Milan hearts with late Roma winner

Roma's defender from Greece Kostas Manolas (bottom) celebrates with teammates Alessandro Florenzi and Juan Jesus after scoring on October 2, 2016

Greek defender Kostas Manolas relaunched Roma's Serie A title hopes with a superb late header to hand the Giallorossi a precious 2-1 win over inconsistent Inter Milan on Sunday. Frank De Boer's Inter travelled to the Stadio Olimpico looking to bounce back from a second successive defeat in the Europa League and last week's 1-1 draw at home to Bologna. But despite Ever Banega's 72nd minute strike levelling Edin Dzeko's fifth-minute opener and providing hope of a late fightback, Inter were left on the back foot only minutes later. Dead ball specialist Alessandro Florenzi stepped up to strike a free kick from the right flank and Manolas, left unmarked yards inside the area, capitalised to beat Samir Handanovic at his near post with a superbly-placed header. Inter were lucky not to suffer more punishment in the dying minutes, Handanovic producing heroics to keep out a powerful Dzeko header with his right hand at his far post. Roma held on for a fourth win of the season that moved Luciano Spalletti's men up to third, five points behind leaders and champions Juventus and just one behind Napoli, who suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Atalanta. Thanks to results elsewhere, Inter dropped to ninth at seven points off the lead and two points behind city rivals AC Milan, who launched a late fightback to secure a 4-3 win over Sassuolo at the San Siro.