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Lucas Biglia marked his first Serie A start since October with a brilliant first-half free-kick before the prolific Krzysztof Piatek struck the winner after the interval.

Perparim Hetemaj broke Chievo's month-long goal drought in between those strikes but the top-flight strugglers were unable to deny the Rossoneri a four-point lead over fourth-placed Inter ahead of next weekend's Derby della Madonnina.

Gennaro Gattuso's dismissal from the touchline proved the only other setback for the visitors, his side now sitting a comfortable seven points inside the top four.

Milan got on top early and opened the scoring in supreme style in the 31st minute, midfielder Biglia curling an excellent free-kick into the top-left corner.

It was not all plain sailing, though, with Gattuso sent to the stands after taking issue with a tackle on Lucas Paqueta.

His mood would only have worsened when Hetemaj headed Chievo level from Mehdi Leris' cross four minutes before half-time.

Nerves creeped into Milan's play and they needed Gianluigi Donnarumma to prevent Hetemaj's left-sided delivery from creeping inside the right post.

Piatek eased the concern in the 57th minute, albeit in slightly controversial circumstances.

Samu Castillejo's header fell kindly for the striker to poke home the decisive goal after a goalmouth scramble, during which he looked to have made contact with a defender while attempting an overhead kick.

Franck Kessie and Alessio Romagnoli might have extended the margin later in proceedings, but Milan did enough to wrap up the victory.