AC Milan 2 : 0 Chievo - Milan return to winning ways

Posted Sunday, October 05, 2014 by PA

AC Milan returned to winning ways after picking up just two points in their last three games with Sulley Muntari and Keisuke Honda on target in a 2-0 win over Chievo Verona.

Muntari marked his 250th Serie A appearance with his 26th goal early in the second half with Honda adding a second with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Chievo had - and wasted - just one big chance with Milan's win never in any doubt once they finally broke the deadlock.

The win lifts the Rossoneri up into a share of fifth with Sampdoria and Hellas Verona, ahead of the rest of the weekend's games on Sunday.

Fernando Torres was included in the Milan starting XI with Filippo Inzaghi sticking with his attack-minded approach which included four attacking players.

It was Torres who provided the first moment of danger with a shot in the 17th minute which was helped on by Giacomo Bonaventura, just wide of the far post.

The hosts continued to control the game, albeit without creating any clearcut openings as they went in at the break level on terms with their guests.

It took 10 minutes of the second half for them to break the deadlock with Muntari shooting into the ground from the edge of the area with the ball looping unstoppably past Francesco Bardi.

Chievo had to abandon their defensive approach and it was a mistake by Muntari which almost let the Flying Donkeys in for an equaliser.

Dejan Lazarevic raced clear with two team-mates up in support and only one defender to beat.

With a burst of pace, he managed to dribble past the last Milan defender, but his attempt to cut the ball across to one of his colleagues was too weak and Christian Abbiati was able to intercept.

It was practically the only time Abbiati had to intervene in the game, the result of which was put beyond any doubt by Honda in the 78th minute.

He won the internal battle to take a direct free-kick from 25 yards, and he showed he was worthy of doing so as he curled the ball round the outside of the wall and to the left of Bardi.

Not only did Milan win their third game of the season, but for the first time they managed to keep a clean sheet.