Pulisic earns Milan 1-0 win over Sassuolo

MILAN :Christian Pulisic ensured AC Milan ended the year on a high by scoring a second-half goal that secured a 1-0 home win over Sassuolo in Serie A on Saturday.

In the 59th minute, the American broke the deadlock by skilfully chipping the ball over Sassuolo keeper Andrea Consigli after receiving Ismael Bennacer's defence-splitting pass.

With six goals this season, Pulisic broke Weston McKennie’s record for the most Serie A goals in a single campaign by an American player.

Milan are in third place with 36 points, narrowing the gap on leaders Inter Milan to nine after they played out a 1-1 draw at Genoa on Friday. Sassuolo are 16th with 16.

Milan manager Stefano Pioli fielded a depleted back line, with Fikayo Tomori, Malick Thiaw and Pierre Kalulu all sidelined due to injuries.

"We can play and create even more but I think we had the right approach today. I am happy with the way we played and suffered together and how we won this game," Pioli told DAZN.

"This is the team’s victory. This is a group that, during my time here, has never given up in difficult moments."

The hosts had an early effort disallowed when Olivier Giroud was offside as he delivered a cross for Bennacer to slot home.

Another Milan attempt on goal was disallowed as Rafael Leao's finish was cancelled out for offside in the build-up.

Sassuolo had their best chance moments later when Domenico Berardi's curling shot required a diving save from keeper Mike Maignan who tipped it over the bar.

The hosts sat back after Pulisic's goal, limiting Sassuolo to long-range attempts, and they comfortably held out for the win.

Earlier on Saturday, Bologna's recent momentum was ended as they suffered a 3-0 loss at Udinese.

Thiago Motta's side, vying for a top-four spot, were left