David Beckham continued his impressive form as AC Milan gave their Serie A title hopes a huge boost with a resounding win at Lazio.
The 33-year-old, on a short-term deal with Milan from LA Galaxy, had been a doubt before the game with a leg muscle problem but started and provided goals for Alexandre Pato and Massimo Ambrosini either side of half-time.
Kaka killed the game off with seven minutes remaining as Milan narrowed the gap on Serie A leaders Inter Milan, who were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Torino, to four points.
The Rossoneri are now second after leap-frogging Juventus, who lost 3-2 earlier today to Cagliari.
Lazio, looking to bounce back from emphatic defeats against Cagliari and Sampdoria, started well and earned two corners in the opening minutes.
Despite the hosts' early efforts, it was Milan who almost broke the deadlock in the sixth minute.
In a slick move, Kaka's incisive ball forward found Marek Jankulovski in the penalty area and the midfielder drew a fine one-handed save from goalkeeper Fernando Muslera with a close-range shot.
Lazio continued to pressurize and Mauro Zarate curled a free-kick high and wide.
Midway through the first half, Pandev beat his marker and played in Zarate inside the area, but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Christian Abbiati.
On the half-hour mark, Muslera did well to come off his line to deny Pato's touch from Beckham's perfect ball and at the other end, Pandev fired just over the bar.
Lazio should have broken the deadlock soon after.
Milan lost the ball in their own half and Pandev took advantage, passing to Zarate, whose effort inside the area was met by a brilliant save from Abbiati.
The home side were made to pay for their missed chances when Milan broke the deadlock in the 41st minute.
Kaka passed to Beckham on the left and the former Real Madrid man cut inside before playing a inch-perfect pass to Pato, whose right-footed strike towards the far post beat Muslera.
The visitors had the ball in the net again just before half-time but Pato's header from Beckham's cross was disallowed for offside.
Milan picked up where they left off after the break and extended their lead three minutes into the second half.
Beckham's free-kick from the right towards the far post found Ambrosini, who headed past a helpless Muslera.
At the other end, Meghni's left-footed strike forced Abbiati into a great save at full stretch.
The visitors continued to dominate possession and Kaka should have made it 3-0 in the 72nd minutes but his right-footed effort inside the area rebounded off the near post.
The Brazilian playmaker made no mistake shortly after though, calmly finishing past Muslera from Clarence Seedorf's through ball.
