Inzaghi inspires Milan to victory

PSV Eindhoven 1-0 AFC Ajax

Dutch champions PSV moved to the Eredivisie summit for the first time this season with a hard-fought victory against AFC Ajax at the Philips stadium. Timmy Simons scored the only goal of the game, stroking in a tenth-minute penalty after Jefferson Farfán had been fouled by Urby Emanuelson. And, although Ajax had chances to equalise in the second half - with Ibrahim Afellay making one dramatic goalline clearance - Guus Hiddink's side held on.

Indeed, PSV could have doubled the advantage late on but Arouna Koné lost his composure when well placed to score. Koné started alongside Farfán and Jason Culina in attack, with Vennegoor of Hesselink on the bench but there was no place for fit-again Gerald Sibon. Theo Lucius (hamstring), Mika Väyrynen (ankle), Michael Ball and John de Jong (both knee) were all ruled out.

"We've had an excellent week," said Hiddink. "Both teams were playing a bit hesitantly, without wanting to risk too much. There weren't many dangerous moments, although Ajax remained a threat throughout the second half and we weren't sharp enough to make it 2-0 late on."

AC Milan 2-1 US Città di Palermo

Recently recovered from a knee injury, Filippo Inzaghi made a goalscoring return to action to give Milan victory over US Città di Palermo. The visitors had taken a surprise 28th-minute lead through Andrea Caracciolo, before Gennaro Gattuso's spectacular long-range effort levelled matters two minutes later. Inzaghi, who had not started a match since May, then sealed victory with a diving header 13 minutes from time to keep Milan in second, five points behind Juventus who they face next Sunday.

"We fell asleep in defence, which allowed Palermo to take the lead," said coach Carlo Ancelotti. "But we reacted immediately with a great goal from Gattuso. In the second half we took control of the game and I think we fully deserved the victory. I'm very happy with our performance, it was another indication that we are in very good condition and constantly improving."

Inzaghi partnered Alberto Gilardino in attack after Andriy Shevchenko was ruled out with a heel injury. A hand injury keeps Alessandro Nesta on the sidelines, while Jaap Stam was forced to watch from the sidelines after suffering a slight thigh injury in the pre-match warm-up.

VfL Wolfsburg 0-0 FC Schalke 04

Schalke lost further ground on Bundesliga leaders FC Bayern München - whom they earned a point from last weekend - after a goalless draw at VfL Wolfsburg. Kevin Kuranyi, who scored in the 3-3 draw at Fenerbahçe on Wednesday, came closest for the visitors but saw his 49th-minute shot cannon back off the post as unbeaten Schalke fell seven points off the pace in Germany.

Kuranyi came into the side for Ebbe Sand, who missed the trip to Wolfsburg after suffering a broken nose in Istanbul. The Danish striker joins long-term absentees Gerald Asamoah, Christian Pander, Tim Hoogland (all knee), Marco van Hoogdalem (hip), Simon Cziommer (ankle) on the sidelines.

“We wanted to keep a clean sheet and we looked solid at the back throughout the match," said Schalke coach Ralf Rangnick. "We also had three or four excellent chances to win the game but sadly our strikers lacked concentration in front of goal. Therefore we have to live with the draw."

Fenerbahçe SK