Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his twelfth goal of the season to ensure AC Milan remain top of Serie A after win over Atalanta.
AC Milan remain top of the Serie A after obtaining a 2-0 victory over Atalanta in a hotly contested clash at the Atleti Azzurri d'Italia stadium in Bergamo on Sunday.

The Italian champions inflicted a first home defeat of the season upon Atalanta courtesy of goals in either half from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kevin-Prince Boateng.

The match itself started at an electric pace as both sides pushed forward in search of an early goal. Atalanta midfielder Simone Padoin was presented with two decent goalscoring opportunities, but he fired the ball over the crossbar on both occasions.

Atalanta were made to rue their wasteful finishing, when the visitors went ahead in the 22nd minute. Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato, who started the game instead of fellow countryman Robinho was brought down by Thomas Manfredini as he shielded the ball in the area.

Ibrahimovic stepped up to the spot and made no mistake with a well-placed finish to join Atalanta striker German Denis on top of the scoring charts with 12 goals.

The remainder of the half was extremely evenly balanced, as both teams were locked in the midfield for large periods.

Milan returned to their normal game at the beginning of the second half, and Pato almost doubled their lead when he struck the woodwork from close-range.

Moments later Denis hit the post for Atalanta after a dangerous corner-kick was flicked across the Milan goalmouth. Atalanta were on top at this point, but couldn't do anything to prevent Milan's second goal eight minutes from full-time.

Ibrahimovic was once again at the centre of the play that led to the goal, as the menacing Swede brought down a cross-field pass with his chest before taking the ball to the touch-line and sending a grounded pass to Boateng, who blasted the ball home.

With the win, Milan remain on top of the table on the same points as Juventus, but with a superior goal-difference. They come into next Sunday's highly anticipated Milan derby against Inter in stunning form.