AC Milan moved to the top of Serie A on Sunday after a 2-1 home victory over defending champions Napoli, thanks to an early goal and assist from Christian Pulisic and a strong team display at San Siro.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The American forward set the tone just three minutes into the match, delivering a sharp cross that Alexis Saelemaekers converted for Milan’s opener. Pulisic then doubled the lead in the 31st minute, finishing a well-worked attack that highlighted Milan’s quick transitions and attacking confidence.

Napoli responded after halftime when Kevin De Bruyne converted a penalty in the 55th minute, briefly raising hopes of a comeback. But just two minutes later, left back Pervis Estupiñán was shown a red card for a reckless challenge, leaving Napoli with 10 men for the final half hour.

From that moment, Milan controlled possession and tempo. Veteran midfielder Luka Modrić, who joined the club this season, proved decisive with seven recoveries and four interceptions, stopping Napoli from building momentum. His calm passing and defensive awareness helped Milan keep their narrow lead intact until the final whistle.

The win was Milan’s fifth straight under head coach Massimiliano Allegri, pushing them to 15 points. They now sit first in Serie A, edging out rivals on goal difference. For Allegri, who returned to Milan in the summer, the result marked another step in restoring the club’s domestic dominance.

“We started with the right energy, and Christian’s contribution was fantastic,” Allegri said after the match. “Napoli are a strong team, but once they went down to 10 men, we controlled the game with maturity. This is the mentality we need if we want to fight for the title.”

The victory also underlined Pulisic’s growing importance at Milan. The 26-year-old winger, who has faced injury struggles in recent years, has now scored three goals in the league this season. His pace and creativity have added a new dimension to Milan’s attack.

“Playing here in front of the San Siro crowd is amazing,” Pulisic told reporters. “I just want to help the team with goals and assists. We know it’s a long season, but wins like this give us confidence.”

Napoli, meanwhile, suffered their first major setback of the campaign. After winning the title last season, they began this year with high expectations. However, Sunday’s defeat exposed defensive lapses and frustration that boiled over with Estupiñán’s dismissal.

Coach Rudi Garcia admitted the red card changed everything. “It’s very difficult to compete at this level when you are one man down,” he said. “But we need to be sharper in the opening minutes. Conceding so early made the match more complicated.”

Despite the loss, Napoli remain within striking distance in the table. They sit on 12 points, just three behind Milan, and will have an opportunity to bounce back in their next match against Fiorentina.

For Milan, the result sends a strong message to their rivals, including Juventus and Inter Milan, both chasing the title. With experienced players like Modrić anchoring the midfield and Pulisic delivering in attack, the Rossoneri appear determined to make this season a serious challenge for the Scudetto.

The San Siro atmosphere reflected the excitement. Fans waved flags and sang long after the final whistle, celebrating a win over last year’s champions and the return of belief in their team.

Milan will next travel to face Atalanta, while Napoli looks to recover at home. With the season still young, both teams know the battle for Serie A supremacy is only beginning. But for now, Milan hold the edge — and the top spot.