AC Milan strengthened their European aspirations with a 2-1 victory over Genoa at the San Siro on Sunday afternoon.
Rossoneri talisman Carlos Bacca broke the deadlock inside five minutes before Keisuke Honda, rejuvenated in recent months, doubled the hosts advantage midway through the second-half.
Alessio Cerci, on loan at Genoa from Milan, halved the deficit in stoppage time but it was in vain as the Grifone's relegation fears grow larger.
Frenetic start
The home side began with a spring in their step, perhaps determined to atone for last weekend's disappointing 1-1 draw with Udinese, as Honda troubled Mattia Perin with an arrowed effort from distance inside four minutes.
Though within sixty seconds Mihajlovic's men had already taken the lead. M'Baye Niang flicked on Honda's inviting cross and Bacca, unmarked at the back post, steadied himself and lashed an effort beyond Perin.
Mattia De Sciglio delivered an unerring cross to the far stick where Giacomo Bonaventura nodded towards goal, only for his header to lack the sufficient power to work the Genoa No.1.
Luca Antonelli liberated Bacca through on goal midway through the opening period but Perin was vigilant and rushed off his goalline to foil the threat.
The away side fashioned an opportunity of their own on the break. Suso, owned by Milan, broke forward with purpose but when he was ushered in on goal he dawdled on the ball and Alessio Romagnoli shuttled across to thwart the danger.
The aforementioned defender rose highest from a Bonaventura set-piece but headed agonisingly wide of the target.
It mattered little, however, as the hosts doubled their lead on 64 minutes.
Granted the time and space to pick his spot, Honda drilled a low effort from 25 yards out beyond an outstretched Perin to allow his side some breathing space.
Riccardo Montolivo, an improved performer in recent weeks, rattled the frame of the goal shortly afterwards as Mihajlovic's charges showed no signs of taking their foot off the gas.
Visiting fightback
Encouragingly, Jeremy Menez made his first appearance of the campaign after being shredded by injuries this term.
The Frenchman instantly involved himself in play, feeding Honda on several ocassions and showing few signs of rustiness.
Genoa, however, reduced their arrears in stoppage time when Cerci bundled the ball over Gigi Donnarumma.
The result moves the Rossoneri seven points clear of 7th-placed Lazio while Genoa hover dangerously close to the relegation zone.