Milan bounces back with thumping win at Udinese
AC Milan earned its first win in all competitions since 15 March, thrashing Udinese 4-0 for a much-needed victory in Serie A.
The visitors scored twice in each half to end a run of three games without a win in all competitions, moving to within six points of fourth place and qualification for next season's UEFA Champions League.
Tijjani Reijnders should have opened the scoring less than a minute in, profiting from a defensive mix-up, only to be denied by a fine Maduka Okoye save.
There was little to split the teams after that until Rafael Leao whipped a delightful curling shot into the top corner to break the deadlock in the 42nd minute.
Strahinja Pavlovic scored a quick-fire second before the break, rising high to meet Christian Pulisic's corner to put Sergio Conceicao's side in control.
However, Milan lost goalkeeper Mike Maignan early into the second half after a terrible clash of heads with team-mate Alex Jimenez.
The French goalkeeper was taken off the pitch on a stretcher.
Theo Hernandez then blasted in the third in the 74th minute. The defender started the move in his own half before linking up with Tammy Abraham, which opened up the space for his strike.
Reijnders, who had seen chances go begging throughout the game, then completed the rout from close range late on, with no pressure put on him from anyone in an Udinese shirt.
Milan is ninth in Serie A with 51 points after 32 games, six points behind fourth-placed Bologna, which travels to Atalanta on Monday (AEST).
Udinese are 11th with 40 points.
