Genoa 0-1 AC Milan – Olivier Giroud with goalkeeping heroics as Christian Pulisic gives AC Milan dramatic win over Genoa

Christian Pulisic’s late strike at Genoa sent Milan top of the Serie A table, despite a crazy end to the match which saw both goalkeepers red-carded.

The American striker controlled a cross from compatriot Yunus Musah on his right foot and then crashed home a left-footed volley leaving Josep Martinez with no chance.

There was a lengthy check to judge whether the ball struck Pulisic’s bicep or right chest before he shot home, but without conclusive evidence, it appeared, eventually the goal was allowed to stand.

That was only the start of the drama though, as seven minutes into injury time Mike Maignan came out of his goal and clattered into Genoa substitute Caleb Ekuban. He received a red card, Olivier Giroud went in goal as Milan had used up their five substitutes and the ensuing free kick from Albert Gudmundsson was deflected against the bar.

Josep Martinez was then given a second yellow card for a late foul on Musah.

Amazingly, for the first 87 minutes it was a match of very few chances and it Stefano Pioli seemed set to be questioned over why he started without Olivier Giroud, Rafael Leao and Pulisic before bringing them on in the second half.

The win puts Milan two points clear of their city rivals Inter at the top of the table.

The craziest ending to a game you will ever see – The first 87 minutes was close to unwatchable football but the remainer of the match – which amounted to 17 minutes – was equally unforgettable. Pulisic’s goal was finished superbly but you feel for Genoa as the initial instinct viewing was the ball must have struck his arm first, but without a conclusive camera angle, the referee’s initial decision to allow the goal remained. Then we had an incident so reminiscent of the infamous World Cup semi-final assault from Harald Schumacher on Patrick Battiston as Maignan clattered into Caleb Ekuban, catching him in the head with his knee. Maignan got a red card and we can only hope the Ghanian international striker is not too affected by the blow. A few minutes later, after Gudmundsson’s deflected kick hit the bar, his opposite number was dismissed, And then Giroud, donning Maignan’s jersey, still had a chance to be a hero…

Olivier Giroud – He has received many match rewards for scoring crucial and often spectacular goals but on this is a first in his 20-year career to do so for his goalkeeping. He could only watch and pray as Gudmundsson’s shot looped against the crossbar, but there was no luck to him denying what appeared a clear goalscoring chance for George Puscas. Using the one quality he has in favour of most keepers, a burst of pace, he launched out of his goal and diving forwards punched the ball away from the Genoa substiture and then dived on the rebound. It is a moment he will retell given the chance for the rest of his life. Given the paucity of the rest of the game – and the likelihood Pulisic’s goal should have been ruled out – he seems a worthy recipient.

Genoa: Martinez 6; De Winter 6, Dragusin 7, Bani 6, Vasquez 6; Sabelli 6, Thorsby 6, Frendrup 6, Haps 6; Malinovskyi 6; Gudmundsson 6.

Subs: Kutlu 6, Ekuban 6, Puscas 6, Leali 6.

Milan: Maignan 5; Florenzi 6, Thiaw 6, Tomori 6, Theo Hernandez 6; Musah 7, Adli 6, Reijnders 6; Chukwueze 6, Jovic 5, Okafor 6.

Subs: Leao 7, Pulisic 7, Giroud 7*, Calabria 6, Bartesaghi 6.

65′ FINE STOP FROM MARTINEZ Florenzi clipped a dangerous cross to the far post and Leao rose to head down into the floor and on the bounce it was heading high in the corner before Martinez pawed away.

87′ GOAL FOR MILAN! Pulisic scores what could prove a big goal. He controlled a ball from a right-wing cross in the area and then crashed home a left-footed volley.

90′ THEY ARE CHECKING WHETHER PULISIC HANDLED THE BALL It appeared to strike his bicep after he controlled the ball with his foot before he crashed the ball home. GOAL STANDS!

90+8′ IS THAT A FOUL ON EKUBAN? It looks a bit like the famous Schumacher-Battiston challenge when Maignan caught the substitute.

90+9′ RED CARD FOR MAIGNAN! After seeing the footage, the referee immediately gave Maignan a red card. The foul is outside the box but Milan have used all their substitutions so an outfield player will have to go in the goal for a free kick.

90+12′ OFF THE BAR! Gudmundsson’s effort was deflected and then spooned up and clipped the bar.

90+13′ MARTINEZ ALSO SENT OFF He was late with a challenge in the penalty area on Musah and gets a second yellow card.

90+14′ GIROUD COMES OUT TO SMOTHER PUSKAS! An heroic effort from the French striker to run out and punch the ball away and deny the Genoa substitute.

• 5 – Milan have now won have straight matches against Genoa.