Zlatan Ibrahimovic grabbed both goals as AC Milan restored their three-point lead in Serie A with a 2-0 win at Cagliari.
Ibrahimovic opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the seventh minute and then added his second seven minutes after the break.
However, Milan were forced to play the last 16 minutes with 10 men after substitute Alexis Saelemaekers was sent off for two yellow cards within eight minutes of his introduction.
Stefano Pioli's side had been under pressure to perform in Sardinia after city rivals Inter drew level on points by beating Juventus on Sunday.
The result left hosts Cagliari sitting fourth from bottom of the table and extended their winless run in Serie A to 11 games.
