Shevchenko's double ends Milan's Fiorentina jinx

AC Milan's forward Andriy Shevchenko celebrates after scoring against Fiorentina during a Serie A football match in Florence. AC Milan won the match 2-1.

Andriy Shevchenko scored twice in 10 second-half minutes as AC Milan came from behind to beat relegation-threatened Fiorentina 2-1 for their first victory in Florence for 10 years.

The sharp-shooting European Footballer of the Year supplied the finishing touch to two left-wing crosses from Brazilian wing-back Serginho to take his league tally to 16 from 27 matches.

A hard-fought win for the reigning Italian champions, their first in the Tuscan city since 1995, saw them open up a three-point lead over Serie A title rivals Juventus, who host Bologna on Sunday.

Milan's victory also raised their morale ahead of the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against PSV Eindhoven next Wednesday. Milan won the first leg 2-0.

Milan, who host Juventus in a crunch Scudetto showdown at the San Siro a week on Sunday, have 76 points from their 34 matches played, while Juventus have 73 points but have played a game less.

AC Milan's forward Jon Dahl Tomasson (L) is tackled by Fiorentina's William Viali during their Serie A football match in Florence. AC Milan won the match 2-1.

Fiorentina remain fourth from bottom, but could find themselves in the drop zone after Sunday's matches. The bottom three teams will go down to Serie B.

Match-winner Shevchenko admitted the result might have been different had Fiorentina been as clinical in front of goal as he was.

"We struggled quite a lot and Fiorentina had several chances to score, but we took our opportunities and that was crucial," he said.

"Now we will focus on PSV before deciding how we set ourselves out against Juventus."

Shevchenko levelled the score a minute after the break, slotting home from close range at the back post as the Fiorentina defence went to sleep.

And the 27-year-old striker hit the target again in the 55th minute, arriving once again at the back post to send an angled header into the bottom corner.

Fiorentina, who lost 6-0 at the San Siro earlier in the season, struck first in the 25th minute when Enzo Maresca headed in from close range after a corner-kick deflected off Milan defender Alessandro Nesta and into his path.

AC Milan's midfielder Cafu eyes the ball during a Serie A football match against Fiorentina in Florence. AC Milan won the match 2-1.

Milan, who were without the suspended Paolo Maldini, Kakha Kaladze and Massimo Ambrosini, came under heavy pressure after edging in front but held onto their slender advantage with a dogged defensive display.

In the day's early match, Cagliari were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Reggina, denting their hopes of claiming a UEFA Cup spot for next season.

Giuseppe Colucci's thundering volley gave Reggina the lead before Cagliari striker Antonio Langella was sent off for two yellow cards 10 minutes after the restart.

Despite being a player short, the spirited Sardinians equalised in the 90th minute when Rolando Bianchi's looping header crept in.

A point lifted Cagliari above Lazio into ninth place, while Reggina leapfrogged Roma into 12th position ahead of Sunday's matches.