Milan have scored in every Serie A game at San Siro this season and they promptly set about trying to extend that streak, with Olivier Giroud blazing over from Rafael Leao’s cross inside 30 seconds.
The same eager duo linked up minutes later, too, as Leao’s low ball evaded the Atalanta defence and Giroud’s first-time effort narrowly missed the target, but the killer blow landed in spectacular fashion when Hernandez hammered home a wondrous volley from long range.
Despite the majesty of the strike, the Rossoneri captain would cruelly be denied the credit as it smacked the woodwork and rebounded off Musso before nestling in the net.
The one-way traffic continued after the break with Giroud and Leao both denied by Musso in quick succession, while the visitors failed to register a shot on target or a chance of note throughout the entire game.
It was therefore a matter of time before Milan doubled their lead, and Junior Messias made amends for a sitter he had missed minutes prior by racing through and chipping a deft finish over the goalkeeper with five minutes to play.
The Rossoneri were given yet another reason to be cheerful as 41-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic emerged from the bench to notch his first appearance of the campaign, cementing his return from a crippling knee injury.
Milan have now amassed four consecutive clean sheets - a surprising run given that they maintain the worst defensive record in the top six - and three precious points sends them third in the Serie A table.
Atalanta, meanwhile, remain sixth as their concerning streak extends to four defeats in their past five matches.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Olivier Giroud (AC Milan)
