Rome: AC Milan went a point clear in Serie A on Saturday after Antonio Nocerino and a Zlatan Ibrahimovic penalty gave the champions a hard-earned 2-0 win over lowly Siena at the San Siro.
Nocerino opened the scoring nine minutes after the break with a deflected shot from the edge of the box before Sweden striker Ibrahimovic doubled Milan's lead on 63 minutes following a controversial penalty award.
Milan, who are now unbeaten in 10 league games, moved to 31 points from 15 games, one above Juventus and Udinese who were in action yesterday.
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said it was not one of his side's better performances.
"When you play badly and win, it's a good sign," he told Italy's Sky Sport channel.
"We had to be patient in the first half and almost fell behind. In these games, either you finish them off quickly or you need the energy to fight until the end," he said.
Skillful volley
In Florence, an acrobatic strike two minutes from time from Stevan Jovetic earned Fiorentina a 2-2 draw against Atalanta.
Italy striker Alberto Gilardino gave the hosts the lead on nine minutes, skillfully volleying home Juan Vargas's centre for only his second goal of the season.
But just as it looked as though Fiorentina would bank a much-needed three points, midfielder Andrea Masiello fired home a 25-metre equaliser on 81 minutes before Argentina striker German Denis struck a typical poacher's goal at the back post to give Atalanta the lead with four minutes to go.
Earlier on Saturday, goals either side of halftime from Cyril Thereau and Gennaro Sardo helped Chievo Verona to a comfortable 2-0 home win over Cagliari. The winners climbed to eighth in the table with their first win in four matches.
