ROME, 20 March 2006 — Andriy Shevchenko struck twice in a 4-0 demolition of Udinese yesterday to keep AC Milan in second place in Serie A.
The result gave Milan 67 points from 30 matches, 10 points behind leaders Juventus, who beat Livorno 3-1 on Saturday.
Inter Milan remained two points behind their city rivals in third after two goals by Alvaro Recoba and one by Luis Figo earned a 3-1 victory over Lazio at the San Siro stadium.
Fiorentina (59 points) completed a clean sweep of wins for the top four when late goals by second-half substitutes Luca Toni and Giampaolo Pazzini earned a 3-1 win against 10-man Ascoli. Milan gave no hint of the rout to come in the early stages at Udinese. Midfielder Andrea Pirlo rattled the crossbar with a free kick in the seventh minute but it was Udinese that dominated for long periods of the first half. Milan needed a howler by home keeper Morgan De Sanctis to break the deadlock just before halftime. The Italy reserve failed to control a routine backpass and the ball rolled into the path of Ukraine striker Shevchenko, who fired home. Having ridden their luck, Milan stamped their authority on the match with three goals in 11 minutes, starting just after the hour mark when an Alessandro Costacurta pass put striker Alberto Gilardino through to score.
Gilardino then turned provider with a backheel to set up Shevchenko to grab his second before Clarence Seedorf fired in a right-footed shot from the edge of the area to seal the win.
Liverpool Brush Aside Newcastle 3-1
In London, Liverpool kept in touch with Manchester United in the battle for second spot after cruising to a 3-1 win at Newcastle United yesterday. Well-taken goals from Peter Crouch and Steven Gerrard put Liverpool in control before Shola Ameobi gave Newcastle hope just before halftime. United defender Jean-Alain Boumsong was sent off six minutes after the break for bundling over Crouch as he bore down on goal, allowing French striker Djibril Cisse to make it 3-1 from the penalty spot.
Rafa Benitez’s side remain third with 61 points from 31 games. Manchester United, who have played two fewer games, are on 63, 12 behind leaders Chelsea. Liverpool were rewarded for their bright start at St. James’ Park when England striker Peter Crouch scored after 10 minutes.
