Tammy Abraham's first-half strike gave AS Roma a 1-0 win over Udinese on Thursday to put them fourth in Serie A, but Lorenzo Pellegrini was sent out and will now miss the capital derby against Lazio.
England international Abraham moved to the near-end after 36 minutes following a superb assist from 19-year-old Riccardo Calfiori, who ran for half the length of the pitch before hitting his marker and sending a fine cross.
Jose Mourinho's team moved to fourth place on 12 points, three points behind leaders Napoli. Udinese is ranked 10th with seven points.
"I knew there was a lot of pressure when I came, but I love the fans, the staff, they make me feel like family from day one and I need to repay them," Abraham told DAZN.
"I came here to win, I love to win, boys look up to me, I have to give them confidence and hopefully we keep getting results."
Roma needed to deliver a result after suffering their first loss under Mourinho against Hellas Verona at the weekend, and they started with intent as Henrique Mkhitaryan and Niccol Zaniolo both hit the post.
Abraham gave the hosts a deserved lead before halftime, his third goal in all competitions since joining Chelsea in August.
But Udinese elicited a spirited response in the second half as Destiny Udogi fired wide from a promising position and Gerard Deulofeu made a smart save from Rui Patricio.
The hosts were dealt a blow in the final moments when captain Pellegrini was shown a second yellow card for a high elbow, meaning he would be suspended for Sunday's Rome derby.
Pellegrini's suspension sees him out of the much-anticipated clash with city rivals Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico.
"I don't know the legal workings of Italian football, but I would. If we can play him, we will do everything to make it happen," Mourinho told DAZN.
"I have many doubts that anyone can say it was a worthy second yellow. One person. But I can't say that he will play on Sunday."