Francesco Totti has accused referee Roberto Rosetti of failing to make the grade in Sunday night's 30 derby defeat.

"He wasn't up to the task," slammed the Roma captain. "I wouldn't say he was biased in favour of Lazio, but looking at the game on the whole..."

Totti was a major injury doubt for this clash due to an ankle problem, but recovered in time to start and was involved in a scuffle with Luciano Zauri.

"The Lazio players wanted me to be sent off, but I showed them the giant cut I've got on my thigh from Zauri's studs. The referees won't give me any more protection and never will, but I'm used to that now."

The result may have taken the Giallorossi out of the Scudetto race and lifted Lazio to fifth place, but Er Pupone still managed to get a verbal jab in at his rivals.

"Of course I'm disappointed to lose, especially as we didn't play to our usual standards. Unlike other clubs, we continue to aim high and we can fight back, even though seven points from Inter are a mountain to climb. We'll focus on beating Palermo next, as that would be important to pull away from the third placed team."

Amantino Mancini agreed that the title race was not over, as the season is only 15 weeks old and the Christmas break is approaching.

"We felt the tension of the occasion and our desire to over-do it worked against us," said the Brazilian of this setback.

"This team is aware of its strength and quality, so the defeat will give us even more of a push to go all the way and aim for the Scudetto. Inter are doing very well, but we can catch them and must also focus on the Champions League."