AC Milan 2-0 SS Lazio: Christian Pulisic and Noah Okafor goals see Rossoneri briefly top of Serie A

AC Milan moved briefly top of the Serie A table after an impressive 2-0 win over Lazio at the San Siro.

The visitors were by far the better side for the first 30 minutes as the Rossoneri struggled to deal with the pace of Felipe Anderson, while Olivier Giroud barely managed a touch in the opening stages.

But Maurizio Sarri's men failed to make their dominance count and, but for two smart efforts from Anderson and a speculative effort from Luis Alberto, they failed to challenge Milan shotstopper Mike Maignan.

And as the hosts grew into the game, Lazio found themselves on the backfoot. Rafael Leao forced a smart stop from Ivan Provedel just after 30 minutes, and on the stroke of half-time Provedel produced a brilliant reflex save to deny Olivier Giroud from close range.

As Tijjani Reijnders hit the post from six yards a moment later, Lazio were lucky to enter the changing rooms on level terms despite their earlier supremacy.

And Milan continued where they left off as they made an electric start to the second half, pushing Lazio deep into their own half.

And they forced an opener thanks to some uncharacteristically poor defending, as Lazio left a huge hole in their midfield, allowing Leao to pick out Christian Pulisic unmarked inside the box, leaving the former Chelsea man all the time in the world to rifle a volley past Provedel.

Milan continued to dominate and made a number of defensive changes to sustain their narrow lead. Lazio, by contrast, threw attackers on to the pitch but could not breach a stubborn Milan backline led by the brilliant Fikayo Tomori.

And as Lazio chased the game, they left gaps at the back. Leao surged forward once again and put the ball on a plate for substitute Noah Okafor to tap home and tie up all three points and send Milan top of the table.

Inter Milan would later win 4-0 against Salernitana to reclaim top spot.

Milan were struggling to breakdown a discipline and determined Lazio backline, but Rafael Leao found the answer...twice. The visitors had no answer to his surging runs down the left flank, and he topped off a fine performance with two pitch-perfect assists.

There were plenty of questions after Milan's unceremonious 5-1 defeat to city rivals Inter a fortnight ago, but they've answered those critics with three wins since, and leapfrog Inter at the top of the table for good measure.

They were hardly at their very best tonight but they've players who can win matches in moments and did brilliantly to withstand Lazio's early dominance.

It wasn't the prettiest, but they've won three points and kept a clean sheet. It's the kind of win that makes you a title challenger, and Inter will be taking notes ahead of the match tonight against Salernitana. The pressure is on.

AC Milan: Maignan 6, Hernandez 7, Tomori 8, Kjaer 7, Calabria 6, Reijnders 6, Adli 6, Loftus-Cheek 5, Leao 8, Pulisic 7, Giroud 6. Subs. Musah 6, Flroenzi 5, Okafor 7, Pobega 5, Chukwueze 5.

Lazio: Provedel 6, Marusic 6, Casale 5, Romagnoli 6, Hysaj 5, Alberto 6, Rovella 6, Guendouzi 4, Anderson 6, Zaccagni 5, Castellanos 4. Subs. Kamada 5, Vecino 4, Immobile 4, Pedro 6, Isaksen 5

45' - WHAT A SAVE! Giroud has the best chance of the half! The ball lands at the Frenchman's feet and he takes it early, but Provedel produces a brilliant save to deny him!

45+1' - REIJNDERS HITS THE POST! The game comes to life! Reijnders latches onto the rebound inside the six yard box but his effort smashes the post!

60' - GOAL! MILAN 1 LAZIO 0 (Pulisic). They have something to show for it now!! Leao picks out Pulisic inside the box and the American punts a volley past Provedel. The goalie got a hand to it but it popped perfectly for Pulisic who got a lot of pace behind it.

88' - GOAL! MILAN 2 LAZIO 0 (Okafor). Okafor puts the game to bed!!! Another Leao assist and it's a near carbon copy of the first. The Portuguese surges down the left and puts it on a plate for the substitute to score!

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