AC Milan climbed to the top of the Serie A table with a 1-0 win over Sampdoria on Sunday, as an early strike from in-form winger Rafael Leao proved decisive at San Siro.
Stefano Pioli's side jumped ahead of Inter Milan and Napoli, who drew 1-1 in Naples on Saturday, to go top with 55 points.
Champions Inter are one point behind with a game in hand and Napoli are two points back in third place.
Portugal international Leao skipped past his marker and found the bottom corner from a tight angle after eight minutes to notch his 10th goal of the season in all competitions.
Sampdoria goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone kept his side in it with a string of fine stops, but it wasn't a happy return to Milan for Samp coach and former Rossoneri boss Marco Giampaolo, whose side remained 16th with 23 points. (Reporting by Alasdair Mackenzie, editing by Ed Osmond)
