Hot-shot Honda fires AC Milan up to fourth
Palermo secure home win
MILAN, Oct 19, (AFP): Japan international Keisuke Honda struck a brace in a 3-1 win at Verona to go top of the Serie A scoring charts on Sunday as AC Milan moved up to fourth.
Milan travelled to the Bentegodi stadium looking for their second successive win having accounted for another Veronabased side, Chievo, two weeks ago.
The visitors were missing injured French forward Jeremy Menez, but Honda was in scintillating form.
Milan were given a helping hand in the 21st minute when Brazilian Rafael Marques, one half of a centre-back pairing which also included Mexican international Rafa Marquez, skewed a volley into his own net from Ignazio Abate’s cross from the right.
Milan were 2-0 up six minutes later when Stephan El Shaarawy, given a rare start on the left of a three-man forward line spearheaded by Spaniard Fernando Torres, found Honda in space on the right with a long ball from midfield.
Honda had time to run unmarked towards goal before curling a first-time shot past Verona ‘keeper Rafael.
Verona striker Luca Toni came close to reducing the arrears with an acrobatic effort minutes later but Christian Abbiati pulled off a remarkable save to parry at his near post.
Abbiati was at full stretch again just after the half hour to push away Bosko Jankovic’s header.
If Verona’s defence had been conspicuously absent at Honda’s first goal, they were even more so 10 minutes after the restart when the Japan international was left in acres of space.
French defender Adil Rami fired a low pass from just over the halfway line and Honda ran in practically unhindered to dink another left-footed shot over Rafael.
Verona grabbed a late consolation when Nico Lopez powered past Sulley