Football
19y

UPDATE 1-Soccer-Crespo strikes again as Milan win at Chievo

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By Simon Evans

MILAN, Nov 28 - Argentine striker Hernan Crespo
continued his return to form by grabbing the winner in AC
Milan's 1-0 win at Chievo Verona on Sunday.

Crespo's 50th-minute goal allowed second-placed Milan to
move, at least temporarily, three points behind leaders Juventus
who are away to Inter Milan later on Sunday.

The striker, on loan from English leaders Chelsea, had not
scored until last week's Italian Cup win at Palermo but now has
four goals in three games after his Champions League double
against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.

Champions Milan also had their Brazilian goalkeeper Dida to
thank after he produced a spectacular save in the 58th minute.

Juve have 31 points, Milan are on 28 and Udinese, who won
2-1 at Livorno on Saturday, are in third place on 22 points.

Cagliari moved up to fourth after a 3-2 win at Lazio with
former Italy forward Gianfranco Zola on target for the
Sardinians.

Chievo caused Milan plenty of problems, especially in the
first half when Simone Tiribocchi and Roberto Baronio both hit
the post.

Milan also created plenty, with Crespo and then Clarence
Seedorf both going close, but it took a stroke of luck for them
to break through five minutes after the break.

Kaka burst forward from midfield and the ball ricocheted
straight into the path of Crespo who fired home with a first
time shot.

Eight minutes later Dida produced a remarkable acrobatic
save to tip over a deflected free-kick from Baronio.

"It was really, really hard work for us," said Crespo,
"Chievo were excellent and created a lot.

"I'm pleased for myself of course because everything seems
to be going well for me now and I hope it will continue like
this," added the Argentine.

Lazio coach Domenico Caso is under pressure after his side
slumped to a 3-2 defeat at home to Cagliari.

Goran Pandev put Lazio ahead in the seventh minute but the
impressive Antonio Langella brought the visitors level before
the break.

Lazio had goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi sent off for a
'professional foul' in the 57th minute and Cagliari took full
advantage with goals from Mauro Esposito and Zola making it 3-1.

Massimo Oddo pulled a goal back from the penalty spot 10
minutes from the end but the defeat leaves Lazio down in 13th
place.

Palermo climb up to fifth with a 2-0 win at Brescia while
sixth placed Messina were held 1-1 at home by Fiorentina.

Parma remain trapped in the relegation zone after they fell
1-0 at Sampdoria -- an injury time penalty from Francesco Flachi
giving the Genoa side victory.

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