Serie A: Leao shoots Milan five points clear of chasers Inter

Rafael Leao made sure that AC Milan maintained their advantage in the Serie A title race after netting the only goal in Sunday's 1-0 win over Fiorentina which moved his team five points clear of local rivals Inter Milan. Portugal forward Leao struck with eight minutes remaining of a tense affair to inch Milan closer to a first Scudetto since 2011 and unleash a wave of relief at a packed San Siro.

Fans pogoed in the stands on a beautiful spring day in Milan, the sun shining on the 'Rossonero' side of the Italian city ahead of Inter's tricky trip to Udinese later on Sunday. Stefano Pioli's team are further boosted by their superior Milan derby record which would ensure the seven-time European champions stay ahead of Inter should they end up locked on the same points.

Until Leao scored it looked to be a frustrating day for the hosts, Olivier Giroud missing the first of a series of good chances with 15 minutes on the clock when he somehow fluffed his dinked finish wide after being slipped perfectly through by Franck Kessie. Nerves started to get to the home fans after a series of misplaced passes in good positions curtailed promising attacks, and the huge home crowd had their heads in their hands two minutes after the break when Rafael Leao smashed over form close range after being fed by Giroud.

Kessie then had an angled shot well saved before Teo Hernandez, a constant menace on the left, poked over Sandro Tonali's neat through ball. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was introduced in the 65th minute in an attempt to force the winner, but it was Fiorentina who nearly snatched the lead when Arthur Cabral's 76th-minute header was header was well saved by Mike Maignan.