Huntelaar hits brace as AC Milan wins

Feb 12, 2010 - 10:14 PM By JEREMY INSON Associated Press Writer

MILAN(AP) -- Klaas Jan Huntelaar scored either side of halftime Friday to lead AC Milan to a 3-2 win over Udinese that snapped a four-match winless run.

Huntelaar opened the scoring early on and Leonardo's side appeared in control when Alexandre Pato scored a second later in the half. Antonio Floro Flores pulled a goal back for Udinese just before halftime, but Huntelaar's second in the 57th appeared to have wrapped up the match.

However, Antonio Di Natale scored his 17th of the season with four minutes remaining, but Udinese was unable to find the equalizer.

The result means that Milan is back up to second, on 45 points, eight behind league leader Inter Milan and one point ahead of AS Roma. Inter was playing Napoli on Sunday, while Roma plays Palermo on Saturday. Udinese remains in 15th.

"It was an important win for us," Huntelaar said. "We had to win to keep up with Roma because there was a difference of two points. Now we have a game in hand, against Fiorentina."

The Dutch striker's second was his fifth of the season and shows his improving confidence after a slow start to the season.

"I have to do my job and score goals," Huntelaar said. "I was happy to play today and score twice."

Milan took the lead in the seventh. Ronaldinho found space on the right and flicked the ball to the near post where Huntelaar headed in.

Pato doubled Milan's lead in the 39th. Ronaldinho hit a long ball over the Udinese defense, Pato took the ball in his stride, rounded Udinese keeper Samir Handanovic and rolled the ball into the empty net.

On the stroke of halftime Udinese pulled a goal back. Di Natale crossed from the right and Floro Flores headed past the despairing efforts of Dida.

Huntelaar grabbed his second of the match 12 minutes after the break and again Ronaldinho was the creator. The Brazilian hit a freekick into the area, Udinese failed to clear and Huntelaar turned and shot home from close range.

In the 86th Udinese broke from defense and Di Natale shot low past Dida.