AC Milan have taken a big step towards another Serie A victory by building a 2-0 half-time lead over Hellas Verona.

The first clear chance of the game fell to Luca Toni in the fifth minute, but the veteran striker could only send his header from Juanito's cross just wide of the post.

Fernando Torres, whose place in the Milan team was reported to be under pressure prior to the game, almost silenced his critics with an impressive solo run which finished with him firing wide from the edge of the box.

Milan were gifted the opener midway through the first half when a dangerous delivery from Ignazio Abate was inadvertently put into his own net by Rafael Marques.

Verona enjoyed a spell on top after falling behind, but they were dealt another blow before the break when Keisuke Honda raced onto a through ball from Stephan El Shaarawy to drill home via the inside of the post.