Honda scores 1, sets up another as AC Milan beats Genoa 2-1

MILAN (AP) - Keisuke Honda scored one goal and helped set up another as AC Milan extended its unbeaten streak to seven matches with a 2-1 win over Genoa in Serie A on Sunday.

Milan moved within two points of fifth-place Inter Milan, which was visiting Fiorentina later.

It's the first time Milan has gone seven matches unbeaten since April 2013.

"If we continue like this we can fight for a Champions League spot," Milan manager Sinisa Mihajlovic said.

A cross from Honda led to Carlos Bacca's opener five minutes in at the San Siro. The Japan international then scored midway through the second half with a long, bouncing shot from 25 meters (yards) that appeared to surprise goalkeeper Mattia Perin.

It was Honda's first league goal of the season, while Bacca has a team-high 13 goals.

Midfielder Riccardo Montolivo nearly made it 3-0 with a similarly long effort that bounced off the post.

Alessio Cerci pulled one back for Genoa in added time.

Mario Balotelli replaced Bacca in the 88th and Mihajlovic appeared angry at Balotelli when Milan risked conceding a potential equalizer in the closing minutes.

"We've got to finish these matches off," Mihajlovic said. "We should have scored a third goal and instead we were risking it. But it's also my fault. From now on whoever won't sacrifice themselves until the 94th minute won't put their foot on the pitch again."

Also Sunday, Torino won 3-1 at Palermo as Ciro Immobile scored twice; Bologna won 1-0 at Udinese with a late goal from Mattia Destro; and Sampdoria and Atalanta drew 0-0.

On Saturday, four-time defending champion Juventus beat Napoli 1-0 to move one point ahead of the southern club atop the standings.

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This story has been corrected to show that Milan's unbeaten streak is seven matches, not eight.