Donyell Malen was the star for Roma.
Roma eased to a 2-0 win over Cagliari in Serie A to end a run of three games without a win and boost their Champions League aspirations thanks to a Donyell Malen double.
The Giallorossi were held to 1-1 draws by Milan in the league and Panathinaikos in the Europa League before falling to a 1-0 Serie A defeat at Udinese.
But they bounced back at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday, Malen’s superb chip from a tight angle putting them in front.
Malen, who joined Roma from Aston Villa last month, doubled his tally with a 65th-minute tap-in as the capital club moved level on points with fourth-placed Juventus. Elsewhere in Serie A, Atalanta beat Cremonese 2-1.
Villarreal cement grip on fourth
In LaLiga, Villarreal claimed a huge win in the fight for Champions League qualification by beating Espanyol 4-1.
Omar El Hilali had a goal disallowed early on for Espanyol, who could have pulled within five points of Villarreal with a victory.
Instead, Villarreal moved level with third-placed Atletico Madrid, having played a game fewer thanks to a clinical display.
Georges Mikautadze put the hosts ahead before a Jose Salinas own goal doubled their lead four minutes before half-time.
Nicolas Pepe and Alberto Moleiro made the game safe before Leandro Cabrera scored a late consolation.
Porto take big step towards title
Meanwhile, in Portugal’s Primeira Liga, Porto missed the chance to move seven points clear at the top of the table as nearest Sporting Lisbon claimed a dramatic 1-1 draw.
Seko Fofana struck what appeared to be the decisive blow at Estadio do Dragao, the midfielder finding the bottom-right corner in the 76th minute.
Yet Sporting claimed a share of the spoils with virtually the last kick of the game, Luis Suarez scoring on the rebound in the 100th minute after his penalty had initially been saved by Diogo Costa, the Porto goalkeeper unable to preserve victory following handball in the area by Francisco Moura.
Sporting stay within four points of Porto, with unbeaten Benfica three points further back.