Early Leao goal sends Milan top of Serie A

Rafael Leao's early goal has earned AC Milan a 1-0 victory over Sampdoria at the San Siro and enabled them to climb back to the top of Serie A.

Saturday's 1-1 draw between Inter and Napoli had provided Milan with the opportunity to leapfrog both sides and they did exactly that on Sunday without ever being at their best against Samp.

Leao calmly converted inside eight minutes after being assisted by keeper Mike Maignan, and that proved enough for the hosts, who have now won three in a row in all competitions.

The win puts Milan two points clear of third-place Napoli and one point better off than champions and neighbours Inter, who still have a game in hand.

Milan had collected just one point from their past two home matches but started brightly and took the lead early on through Leao's 10th goal of the campaign.

The Portugal international controlled a long pass from Maignan, drove away from Bartosz Bereszynski into the opposition box and coolly fired past Wladimiro Falcone.

Falcone produced a fine one-handed save to keep out a powerful Junior Messias drive and the Milan midfielder flashed another attempt narrowly wide the other side of half-time.

Sampdoria had a brief moment on top but the big chances continued to fall Milan's way, with Olivier Giroud twice being denied by the visiting keeper from a volley and a header.

The visitors never truly looked like finding a leveller, though, with Stefano Pioli's side seeing out the job to climb to the summit.