Giroud strike gives Milan win over Torino

A second-half strike by Olivier Giroud earned champions AC Milan a 1-0 home win over courageous Torino in Serie A on Friday, ending their seven-game winless run in all competitions.

Milan, who last won a game over a month ago when Serie A resumed following the World Cup break, were under pressure for most of the first half but flew out of the traps after the break.

Stefano Pioli's men broke the deadlock just after the hour mark when Giroud who nodded home a cross from defender Theo Hernandez.

Milan moved provisionally up from sixth to third in the standings on 41 points from 22 games. Torino remain seventh on 30 points.