Ibrahimović double downs Roma

Zlatan Ibrahimović struck twice after the break as AC Milan recovered from a goal behind to defeat AS Roma and extend their Serie A lead to seven points.

The Rossoneri dominated, despite losing defender Thiago Silva to a thigh injury after ten minutes, and would have won comfortably but for an inspired display by visiting goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, who tipped Ibrahimović’s free-kick over the bar early on. Sulley Muntari then rifled two shots narrowly over before Stephan El Shaarawy hit the foot of a post with an angled drive.

Pablo Osvaldo (44) gave Roma an unexpected lead when he popped up to redirect Daniele De Rossi's shot past Christian Abbiati. However, Ibrahimović (53) restored parity from the penalty spot after Gabriel Heinze handled Massimo Ambrosini's shot and, although Stekelenburg touched Muntari's fierce volley on to the crossbar, Ibrahimović (83) scored again, racing on to a long ball before deftly lobbing Stekelenburg and heading in his 22nd league goal of the season.

In the late fixture Gabriel Torje (84) struck against US Città di Palermo to cancel out Fabrizio Miccoli's 31st-minute opener and salvage a draw for Udinese Calcio, who move third, level on points with S.S. Lazio.