Giroud goal sends AC Milan back to Serie A summit with win over Napoli

Updated: May 17, 2023, 04:58 am

Olivier Giroud, centre, of AC Milan celebrates after scoring a goal against Napoli in Serie A.
Olivier Giroud, centre, of AC Milan celebrates after scoring a goal against Napoli in Serie A.
AP Images

Olivier Giroud's second-half goal sent AC Milan back to the top of Serie A as they battled to a 1-0 win away at Napoli on Sunday.

Victory means that Stefano Pioli's table-toppers now have 60 points, two ahead of city rivals and reigning champions Inter -- who have played a game fewer -- and three more than Napoli in third.

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Chances were few and far between in a nervous encounter, with the hosts only managing two shots on target throughout the 90 minutes at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

After a low-key first-half in which neither side really threatened, Giroud netted the only goal of the game as he turned in Davide Calabria's cross-shot four minutes after the break.

Adam Ounas curled one wide for Napoli and Hirving Lozano dragged an effort wide late on as they tried in vain to find an equaliser.

Theo Hernandez and Alexis Saelemaekers were denied by smart saves from Napoli goalkeeper David Ospina on the counter in the closing stages as they sought to seal the victory.