Chievo 1-2 AC Milan - Pato pounces as leaders leave it late
Posted Sunday, February 20, 2011 by PA
Alexandre Pato came off the bench to score AC Milan's winner against Chievo as the Serie A leaders brushed aside their Champions League defeat in midweek with victory at the Marc' Antonio Bentegodi.
Milan were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham at the San Siro on Tuesday but managed to get back to winning ways after the Brazilian hit an 82nd-minute winner.
Robinho had given his side the lead after 23 minutes only for Gelson Fernandes to equalise after just over an hour, teeing up Pato's memorable effort.
Milan started well when Robinho found a hole in the Chievo backline and played in Alexander Merkel, but the German mis-kicked from a good position.
Cyril Thereau tried something spectacular from range as Chievo hit back but his shot was always going over.
Milan were putting together the more meaningful attempts and could have led in the 21st minute when a wonderful first touch from Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave Robinho a chance to convert from 10 yards, though the Brazilian narrowly missed.
The opener was not long in coming, Antonio Cassano involved this time as he linked up with Ibrahimovic to feed Robinho again.
He turned on the edge of the the penalty area, moved towards goal fired his shot low into the bottom corner.
Ibrahimovic was eager to have a go himself and worked Stefano Sorrentino from the edge of the box soon after.
The Sweden striker again tried his luck after 34 minutes but this time shot wide.
Sergio Pellissier blasted over from a fine position just before half-time, wasting Chievo's best chance yet.
Ibrahimovic continued to worry Sorrentino, who saved his 54th-minute free-kick with an athletic dive to his left.
The leveller came with 62 minutes gone, Kevin Constant crossing for Fernandes who nodded in at the far post from 10 yards.
Pato replaced Cassano four minutes later and, after one sighter at goal, scored with a wonderful solo effort in the 82nd minute.
He charged towards the Chievo box, skipped round two defenders and then found the corner of the net to make it 2-1.
Bostjan Cesar was dismissed after a second caution, for handball, five minutes from time as Chievo's day ended on a sour note.
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