Seedorf's late goal pushes AC Milan to one point from Inter (Roundup)

By Alberto Cagliano Mar 14, 2010, 22:56 GMT

Rome - Dutchman Clarence Seedorf drilled home a smashing last-gasp goal to seal AC Milan's 1-0 win over Chievo Sunday and push the Devils to within one point of Serie A leaders Inter Milan.

After Inter crashed 3-1 at Catania on Friday, the Devils closed in with 10 games left, while Roma could have done better than a 3-3 draw at struggling Livorno that held them six points adrift.

Brazil forward Ronaldinho fired wide on five minutes as he played behind lone striker Marco Borriello.

Mid-table Chievo did little upfront early in the game, but their solid and at times rough midfield game thwarted most of the Devils' schemes.

English veteran David Beckham also was in charge of providing feeds upfront and on 24 minutes fired a nasty drive followed by a precise cross for a dangerous header from defender Thiago Silva.

Despite their uneventful thrust, Milan ran risks before the break as Brazilian Marcos De Paula volleyed centrally and Andrea Mantovani nodded a cross against the bar.

Real thrills arrived after the break for the fans at the Giuseppe Meazza as Ronaldinho missed a header and on 57 minutes fired a shot that swerved past Stefano Sorrentino but met the far post.

The hosts from Verona showed no respect and came close when Sergio Pellissier on 53 minutes leapt past goalkeeper Christian Abbiati and saw Thiago Silva clear his surefire flick on the goal line.

Chievo's Michele Marcolini and Luciano fired other nasty drives, while Sorrentino managed to stop a deep break from substitute Filippo Inzaghi, who came on for Gennaro Gattuso to step up Milan's pressing.

The Chievo goalkeeper was again crucial as he rushed to block Beckham with six minutes left, but capitulated in injury time, stunned by a drive that Dutch substitute Seedorf drilled under the bar.

Earlier Sunday, a hat-trick from veteran Cristiano Lucarelli slowed down Roma's pursuit of Inter as Livorno grabbed a 3-3 draw at home.

Palermo lost 3-2 at Udinese, who had Antonio Floro Flores twice on target, but retained fourth place that grants a Champions League berth as Juventus drew 3-3 at home to bottom side Siena and Sampdoria drew 1-1 at Bologna.

In a goal-rich weekend, Genoa three times shook the woodwork before falling behind to visiting Cagliari, but bounced back to clinch a spectacular 5-3 win.

Bari won 2-0 at Lazio, who are now just two points above third- from-last Livorno, Parma prevailed 1-0 over 10-man Atalanta, now lying level at the bottom with Siena, while Napoli crashed 3-1 at home to Fiorentina on Saturday.