(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-12-24 09:11

ROME - Returning Roma talisman Francesco Totti scored a brace to earn the capital-based club a 2-0 win over Sampdoria at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday and keep them in the Serie A title chase.

AS Roma's captain Francesco Totti celebrates after scoring his second goal against Sampdoria during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Rome December 22, 2007. [Agencies]

Second-placed Roma closed the gap on leaders Inter Milan to just four points ahead of Sunday's eagerly anticipated Milan derby with newly-crowned world champions AC Milan.

Totti was making his second injury comeback of the season having missed last week's disappointing 0-0 draw at Torino and he proved he was back to his best with a crucial double, the first a cute finish from the penalty spot.

"I wanted to finish 2007 in a big way. I'm happy and I want to thank my team-mates who let me take the penalty and set me up at the end," he told Sky Sport.

It was the penalty that never should have been, though, as the referee offered Roma an early Christmas present on 18 minutes.

Centre-back Matteo Ferrari, playing in place of the suspended Frenchman Philippe Mexes, crumpled into a heap in the box under the slightest of challenges from Stefano Lucchini and the official shockingly pointed to the spot.

Lucchini's bad luck got even worse as he was laughably also booked for his troubles.

That may have been a gift but captain Totti's finish from 12-yards was sublime as he calmly chipped the ball just under the cross-bar as goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi dived to his right.

Just before the hour mark a mistake from Roma full-back Max Tonetto saw Emiliano Bonazzoli set strike-partner Christian Maggio free but Brazilian goalkeeper Doni saved the day for the hosts.

And moments later Lucchini almost fired his side level but he blazed a half-volley over the bar from just four yards out after meeting a Sergio Volpi free-kick at the back post.

Roma came out flying in the second half and Simone Perrotta went close before David Pizarro clattered the bar with a long range effort that Castellazzi got a finger-tip to.

Roma were pressing for a second and any hope Sampdoria had of getting back into the match effectively ended when Volpi was harshly sent-off on 57 minutes.

He tripped Perrotta in full flight but his challenge was neither malicious nor decisive yet, incredibly, a second harsh decision went against the visitors.

Roma pushed forward and Brazilian substitute Alessandro Mancini fired a left-foot cross-shot inches wide of the far post 20 minutes from time.

But in the final five minutes 10-man Sampdoria almost snatched a leveller with Doni saving brilliantly from substitute Andrea Caracciolo and then Hugo Campagnaro firing wildly over the bar from the subsequent corner.

But in the last minute Totti grabbed his second, tapping home after a brilliant run down the right from Marco Cassetti.

It was Totti's first league goals since October 20, although it was also only his second league appearance since then due to injuries.

"It was difficult spending two months on the sidelines because I was playing really well before that," added Totti.

"The championship? It's a marathon, we won't make the same mistakes as last year when we finished 20 points back (from Inter). It will go to the wire."

Earlier in the day Genoa eased clear of the Serie A drop zone with a vital 1-0 home win over Parma.

A Marco Borriello penalty three minutes before the break proved the difference after he himself was fouled in the box.

Genoa began the day just two points above the relegation zone but this victory means they can at least enjoy the Christmas break in safety.

Parma had been hoping to break into the top half of the table but despite some late pressure, they could find no way through.