Olivier Giroud scored a quickfire late double to earn AC Milan a dramatic 2-1 win over Inter Milan at San Siro on Saturday.
The victory moved his side within a point of the Serie A leaders.
AC Milan had taken just one point from their previous two matches and was on the verge of losing again.
This was after Ivan Perisic’s first-half volley had Inter Milan firmly in control of Saturday’s clash.
But goalkeeper Mike Maignan ensured the designated visitors were still in the game and, from pretty much out of nowhere, AC Milan caught Inter Milan cold due to Giroud’s double.
The France international contentiously converted from close range to equalise in the 75th minute.
He completed the turnaround three minutes later to stun Simone Inzaghi’s side.
AC Milan’s only blot was a late red card for Theo Hernandez.
Denzel Dumfries had an early goal ruled out for offside and was later denied from a one-on-one by Maignan, who was also equal to Marcelo Brozovic’s deflected drive.
Samir Handanovic was also needed to deny Sandro Tonali, but the breakthrough arrived in the 38th minute when Perisic volleyed in ex-AC Milan winger Calhanoglu’s corner-kick.
Stefano Pioli turned to Junior Messias and Brahim Diaz in the second half but AC Milan continued to pose little attacking threat until a dramatic final quarter to the game.
Giroud slid in to convert Diaz’s deflected shot, though Inter Milan was unhappy the goal was allowed to stand.
This was because the goalscorer clattered into Alexis Sanchez at the start of the move.
Inter Milan failed to compose themselves and conceded another almost instantly as Giroud held off Stefan de Vrij and fired in a shot that squirmed under the hand of Handanovic.
Theo Hernandez was dismissed deep into added time for a rash challenge on Dumfries, though AC Milan saw out a huge win that keeps the Scudetto race wide open. (dpa/NAN)
