Milan thrash Chievo to send out title warning

ROME, Nov 28 (AFP): AC Milan sent out an ominous warning to their title rivals with a 4-0 thrashing of Chievo at the San Siro on Sunday that moved them into second place in Serie A. Milan trail unbeaten leaders Juventus, who won 1-0 at Lazio on Saturday, by a single point. The champions made short work of Chievo, leading 4-0 at half-time after goals from Brazilians Thiago Silva and Pato and a brace from Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Milan coach Massimi-liano Allegri said it was too soon to declare the title a two-horse race. "Juve have a match in hand but if Napoli win then they will come back into it," said Allegri. "Lazio and Udinese are level with us so it's too early to say. It was important to win tonight and we approached it in the right way after Wednesday's game (a 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Champions League). "There was a risk we'd have a psychological dip but the lads did well." Milan gave an indication of their intent early on when Ibrahimovic fired a vicious shot that beat Stefano Sorrentino but landed on the roof of the net. Yet on eight minutes they went in front as Thiago Silva took a pass from Kevin-Prince Boateng and sent a precise shot from 25 yards into the bottom corner. Chievo almost replied immediately but Marco Amelia blocked Sergio Pellissier's shot from close in. And on 16 minutes they were made to pay as Ibrahimovic took a pass from Alberto Aquilani and curled a delicious shot from 20 yards into the top corner for his 100th goal in Serie A. "We're playing well, everyone is confident. At the end of the first half it was 4-0 and in the second we relaxed a bit," said Ibrahimovic.