Soccer-Roma cruise past Parma 4-0 to dent Inter's lead

ROME, March 1 (Reuters) - Alberto Aquilani set AS Roma on their way to a 4-0 win over Parma at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday to cut Inter Milan's lead at the top of Serie A to six points.

Italy midfielder Aquilani fired home in the 27th minute after Parma keeper Luca Bucci clumsily pushed a Marco Cassetti cross to his feet.

Roma doubled the advantage six minutes into the second half when Giulio Falcone found his own net in trying an overhead clearance while Christian Panucci lurked.

Parma had the ball in the other net just after, but the goal from a free kick was disallowed for a foul that was hard to detect on TV replays.

Captain Francesco Totti drove in a thunderous strike from outside the box 10 minutes from time and Mirko Vucinic tapped in at the death to seal a win that gives second-placed Roma 55 points from 26 games.

The result eased the Romans' disappointment at Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Inter, when Zavier Zanetti's late equalizer denied them a win that would have opened up the title race.

It was also good preparation for next Wednesday's Champions League last 16 return at Real Madrid, when Roma will defend a 2-1 advantage from the first leg.

Later on Saturday, European champions AC Milan entertain Lazio seeking a win that would lift them above fourth-placed Fiorentina and into the Champions League qualification zone.

Inter can return nine points clear by beating Napoli away in Sunday's late game.