Resilient Ten-Man AC Milan Edge Past Udinese

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AC Milan showed great resilience and determination as they overcame a red card to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Udinese on Saturday. Despite being down to 10 men for over an hour, the seven-time European champions managed to claim all three points and move within two points of Serie A leaders Napoli. The win sees them level on 14 points with second-placed Inter Milan, with Paulo Fonseca's side showing their defensive solidity by surviving two offside scares, including one deep into stoppage time. Samuel Chukwueze's early goal proved to be the difference maker, as Milan held on for a crucial win at the San Siro.

Their task was made difficult by Tijjani Reijnders being sent off in the 29th minute for a clumsy foul on Sandi Lovric who would have been clean through on goal had the Netherlands midfielder not clipped his heels.

Tammy Abraham should have sealed the points for Milan with 15 minutes remaining when he somehow managed, moments after replacing Alvaro Morata, to both fluff a golden chance on the rebound and injure his shoulder at the same time.

The hosts looked to have been sucker-punched when Christian Kabasele bundled home for Udinese in the fifth minute of stoppage time, but a huge roar rang around the ground when, after a long VAR check, the goal was ruled out for Jurgen Ekkelenkamp's toes straying offside.

Milan's win came in front of a flat San Siro following the decision of Milan's hardcore "ultras" supporters to stand in silence for most of the match in protest at what they claim is a law enforcement and Italian media campaign against them.

Leading ultras from both Milan and local rivals Inter -- at Roma on Sunday night -- were arrested last month and are accused of a variety of crimes raging from criminal conspiracy and extortion to assault.

Earlier this week Milan's ultras groups refuted allegations by investigators of any involvement in ticket touting, control of parking and sales from concession stands near the San Siro.

In the meantime police banned the ultras' large "Curva Sud Milano" from being hung out in that section, leading to supporters around the whole stadium, not just ultras, from leaving their own banners and flags at home.

Instead fans in the Curva Sud held a banner in support of their arrested allies which read, loosely translated, "Stay strong boys".

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Later Juventus can move level with Napoli with a win over in-form Lazio, although Thiago Motta's side have been hit by series of injuries.

(This story has not been edited by staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)