AC Milan edge past Cagliari

Goalmouth scramble: AC Milan take the provisional top spot, but it could all change on Wednesday [GALLO/GETTY]

Champions AC Milan moved to the top of Italy’s Serie A on Tuesday with an easy 2-0 victory away at Cagliari although they could be toppled on Wednesday should Juventus beat third-placed Udinese.

An own goal by Francesco Pisano and one from Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the hour were enough to give them the three points and take them a point clear of the Old Lady of Turin, who have an inferior goal difference.

Udinese – who have once again punched above their weight this season despite losing several key players – would need to beat Juventus by a seven-goal margin to top the table at Christmas.

Earlier, Siena and Fiorentina continued their poor form in a lacklustre Tuscan derby that finished 0-0 leaving them in the lower half of the table with 15 and 18 points respectively.

In control

Milan were never troubled in Sardinia once good pressure from Antonio Nocerino forced the unfortunate Pisano to put through his own net.

Ibrahimovic ensured there would be no slip-ups when he doubled the lead after a neat 1-2 with Robinho and the goal put the Swede joint top of the scoring charts with Atalanta’s Argentinian German Denis on 11 goals.

Cagliari coach Davide Ballardini will be fortunate to escape the axe by impatient chairman Massimo Cellino, who has already sacked two coaches this season.

With just one win in their last 11 games the odds on Ballardini still being in a job come the New Year look slim.