Milan - Patrick Cutrone hit a double with Lucas Biglia and Fabio Borini also scoring as AC Milan crushed SPAL 4-0 on Saturday to boost their European ambitions.
The 20-year-old Cutrone took centre stage with Nikola Kalinic injured and Davide Calabria suspended, opening after two minutes in Ferrara off a rebound and doubling from close range on 65 minutes.
Argentine Biglia got his first Milan goal on 73 minutes with a curler into the bottom corner, following an error from SPAL keeper Alex Meret.
And Borini came off the bench and quickly found the fourth from a tight angle to give Milan a fourth win in their last five Serie A games.
Gennaro Gattuso's side move up to seventh, still just outside the Europa League places.
"We knew it would be a difficult game and in fact, immediately after scoring, we suffered," said Italy forward Cutrone. "We did well to resist and like a great team find a way to kill off the game."
The result has also improved Milan's slim Champions League hopes, with city rivals Inter Milan, seven points ahead in the final spot for elite European action next season, hosting Bologna on Sunday.
"The Champions League? We have to focus on one game at a time and the next one is an Europa League game next Thursday. We want to move forward in Europe," said Cutrone.
SPAL had their chances with Federico Viviani missing two first half efforts and Mirco Antenucci also threatening.
Milan's Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie was booked and will be suspended for next week's game with Sampdoria.
SPAL remain rooted in the drop zone with just three wins this season.
