PSV Eindhoven tops AC Milan

By Bruce Mutsvairo

Eidhoven, Netherlands - Jefferson Farfan scored on Tuesday to give PSV Eindhoven a 1-0 win over AC Milan in Group E of the Champions League.

Farfan pounced on the right side when Kakha Kaladze's header failed to clear, scoring off the near post under diving goalkeeper Dida.

PSV now leads the group with seven points, followed by Schalke and Milan with five each and Fenerbahce with four. Schalke beat Fenerbahce 2-0.

PSV, a semifinalist last year, drew 0-0 two weeks ago in Milan, but PSV had the best chances Tuesday, including a first-half header by defender Alex that Dida knocked away with one hand.

Andrea Pirlo had a chance for Milan with a sharp free kick in the 18th minute, which curled onto the top of the net at the corner.

"We weren't really in danger," PSV coach Guus Hidddink said. "I expected them to have more spice in their attack, but maybe it was less dangerous because our defense was well-positioned."

PSV goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes almost scored an own-goal in the 37th when he awkwardly batted a corner kick by Clarence Seedorf into the air, but recovered it himself.

In the 56th, Gomes narrowly grabbed a long-range shot from Seedorf that changed direction off PSV captain Phillip Cocu's foot.

"The difference was that this week we were able to play our own game more, we controlled play for long periods and we were in our stride," Cocu said.

Milan defender Jaap Stam received his second yellow and was sent off in the 83rd for grabbing DaMarcus Beasley's shirt and pulling him down.

In the closing minutes, PSV midfielder Ismail Aisatti sent a shot narrowly over the bar. - Sapa-AP