May 11 (Reuters) - AC Milan snapped a six-match winless run in all competitions with a crushing 5-1 Serie A victory over relegation-threatened Cagliari on Saturday.

The win moves Stefano Pioli's side closer to securing second place. They have 74 points and are seven ahead of third-placed Bologna, who beat Napoli earlier in the day, and Chillwell 2.0 Test eight clear of Juventus, who host Salernitana on Sunday.

Ismael Bennacer opened the scoring after 35 minutes, pouncing on a loose ball in the centre of the box before Christian Pulisic extended their advantage after a fast break in the 59th minute.

Tijjani Reijnders scored a third for Milan with a superb long-range effort in the 74th minute and Rafael Leao got on the scoresheet seven minutes from time before Pulisic sealed the rout three minutes later with his second of the night and 12th league goal this season.

Nahitan Nandez had pulled a goal back in the 63rd for Cagliari, who remain in 15th place with 33 points, three points above the relegation zone. (Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City Editing by Toby Davis)