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Rodrigo Taddei and Alberto Aquilani made history as Roma won the derby to set a new Serie A record of 11 straight wins.
The Giallorossi went into this match without captain Francesco Totti, who will be out for three months with a fractured ankle, though he had a ringside seat on a special bench near the Curva Sud and spent all day with his teammates. Vincenzo Montella returned to full fitness after back surgery and was eager to add to his record five goals in this fixture.
Lazio were also confident following their 2-1 win away to Fiorentina and were unbeaten at the Olimpico all season. The pressure was also on referee Matteo Trefoloni, who Paolo Di Canio insisted was an 'unintelligent' choice to officiate due to some perceived errors against Lazio in the past.
Roma had the first chance on the counter-attack and Simone Perrotta's scuffed effort was wide of the target.
Lazio went even closer on 13 minutes, as Valon Behrami found acres of space down the right flank and crossed low for Tommaso Rocchi, whose shot thumped the outside of the upright from six yards.
Amantino Mancini threaded through for Alberto Aquilani and Sebastiano Siviglia just managed to clear for a corner.
Christian Manfredini was dispossessed in midfield and Montella ran into the box, but the Lazio midfielder made up for his error with a tackle to close him down, though the ex-Sampdoria striker could perhaps have passed to Mancini instead.
The Biancocelesti threatened again with Paolo Di Canio emerging between three Roma players and setting Behrami running, but the cross in to the unmarked Rocchi was cleared by Philippe Mexes.
Lazio were forced to make a change after half an hour, as Manfredini limped off with a muscular problem for Massimo Bonanni. A former Roma youth product, the midfielder has always professed his love for Lazio, so this was a very special derby for him.
It was Roma who broke the deadlock moments later. A Mancini corner kick found Rodrigo Taddei's glancing header at the near post to leave Angelo Peruzzi with no chance. The ex-Siena star has a good history with Lazio, as this is the fourth goal he has scored against them.
An argument broke out between the two most representative homegrown players on the pitch, Di Canio for Lazio and Roma's Daniele De Rossi, but calm was quickly restored.
Cristian Chivu spread himself to charge down Rocchi's effort from the by-line, then Di Canio slipped as he fired wide on Massimo Oddo's cross, as Lazio continued to control that right flank.
Moments later Behrami just failed to get on the end of another dangerous Oddo assist, but the Swiss midfielder was booked for a tackle from behind on Mancini.
Straight after the restart, there were Lazio complaints that an Ousmane Dabo free kick struck Aquilani on the arm when he was in the defensive wall outside the penalty area.
Luciano Zauri's cross to the back post was scuffed horribly by Oddo, but there were more claims that Leandro Cufre' shoved Behrami as he tried to get on the end of it in the centre of the box.
Yet Roma had a good chance to double their lead, though Christian Panucci and Montella got in each others' way when trying to nod in a corner kick at the back post.
The Biancocelesti had the better of the overall play and pushed Roma into their own half for long periods.
Perrotta thumped a powerful half-volley from the edge of the box that swung wide of the target.
Lazio had a great opportunity on the hour mark, as Bonanni's cross found Rocchi, but Doni and his defenders just about managed to crowd him and Di Canio out.
Once again, Roma were more accurate with their finishing and made the most of their chances by doubling their lead on the counter-attack. Mancini sprung the offside trap and with his tricky footwork confused the defence, instead rolling back for Aquilani's precise low strike from just inside the box. As a Giallorossi youth product and native of this city, it was a particularly special moment for the youngster.
Di Canio seemed particularly peeved when he was substituted for Goran Pandev, while Damiano Tommasi replaced Montella so Mancini went upfront as the lone striker. The Brazilian was booked for kicking the ball away in protest at a refereeing decision.
Behrami skipped past three players inside the area, but lost his balance and couldn't quite finish off this slalom.
Lazio were unlucky when Bonanni's half-volley was deflected off target by De Rossi, but at the other end Mancini sprung the offside trap practically in the centre circle and Peruzzi sprinted up the pitch to block with his chest.
Bonanni put an Oddo free kick back into the centre, where the ball skimmed the heads of two Lazio players who only needed to touch it in.
Olivier Dacourt was booked 30 seconds after coming on to the field for a clumsy tackle on Rocchi. Substitute Bonanni was also replaced by hitman Igli Tare, as Lazio went for broke in the closing stages, but Siviglia nodded a free kick well wide.
There was a final moment of tension, as Doni rushed off his line and punched the ball clear inches outside the penalty area. He was booked because it was not a clear goal-scoring opportunity. From the resulting free kick, Dabo's effort was charged down by the defensive wall.
Roma ran forward on the counter-attack and Pandev hacked down Mancini, earning him a booking. | 
