Serie A leaders Milan held, Inter draw

Serie A leaders Milan produced a flat display as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Udinese.

Milan, however, remain on the top of the table with a two-point advantage over arch-rivals and defending champions Inter Milan, who could only manage a 0-0 draw at Genoa.

Rafael Leao gave Milan the lead with a well-taken goal, but clear-cut chances for the home side were otherwise a rarity.

Udinese were good value for their equaliser through Iyenoma Udogie just past the hour, and Milan lacked the requisite drive to retake the lead as they slumped to a disappointing draw.

Milan's start was hardly emphatic but they weathered some early pressure and went ahead before the half-hour mark, Leao brilliantly bringing down Sandro Tonali's deep cross before coolly slotting past Marco Silvestri.

The contest opened up more as the half progressed but Beto wasted a decent opportunity for the visitors as he headed straight at Mike Maignan.

Tolgay Arslan shot just wide of the right-hand post and Rodrigo Becao saw a deflected effort saved by Maignan as Udinese threatened twice in quick succession around the hour.

Another opportunity went begging soon after as Nahuel Molina questionably attempted a cut-back in the box when he had only Maignan to beat, albeit from a slightly tight angle.

The deserved equaliser did arrive in the 66th minute, though, Udogie nudging over the line after fellow substitute Roberto Pereyra sent an overhead-kick goalwards.

Leao might have made it 2-1 some 14 minutes from time, but the ball would not drop quickly enough for him after flicking over Silvestri, and Nehuen Perez cleared for Udinese.