AC Milan 2-0 Lecce: Nocerino and Ibrahimovic edge Rossoneri into prime position to retain Scudetto crown

A goal in either half from Antonio Nocerino and Zlatan Ibrahimovic saw AC Milan stretch its lead at the top of the table to four points after a 2-0 victory over Lecce at the San Siro.

The hosts made their intentions clear early on in the game through slick passing and movement in the final third, and they took the lead through a wonderful team goal after seven minutes.

Robinho found a pocket of space just in front of the Lecce box and chipped a delightful pass over the defense for Ibrahimovic, who flicked a reverse ball to the edge of the box for Nocerino.

The 26-year-old then showed superb technique to half-volley a strike into the corner, albeit thanks to a deflection off the back of Leonardo Miglionico.

Milan came close to doubling its lead seven minutes later but Lecce was let off due to an excellent save from goalkeeper Massimiliano Benassi.

The away defense was all over the place at the back, with the home side spraying the goal with a barrage of shots that were blocked. The ball eventually found its way to Urby Emanuelson who whipped a shot at goal, but Benassi was there to beat the ball away to safety.

Robinho and Ibrahimovic nearly managed to score later on in the first half, both attempting audacious chips over Benassi, but neither strike found the target and Lecce managed to keep the score down going in to halftime.

Lecce came relatively close to equalizing five minutes after the break when Valeri Bojinov drove towards goal and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot towards the top corner, but Christian Abbiati's positioning was spot on, and he managed to parry the ball away.

Despite the earlier scare, Milan dominated proceedings in the second half, and doubled its lead in the 65th minute thanks to a cracking strike from Ibrahimovic.

Robinho clipped a cross into the area for Emanuelson, who headed the ball back in to the path of the Swede, and he lashed a strike into the top corner, leaving Benassi with no chance.

The hosts saw out the victory with composure, with Lecce being a relative attacking non-entity in the match. The result sees AC Milan stay at the summit of Serie A, four points clear of Juventus. Serse Cosmi's side remains in the relegation zone, and must continue to fight for survival.

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