Filippo Inzaghi scored a hat-trick to help AC Milan [ Images ] strengthen their grip on third spot in Serie A with a 3-0 home win over Atalanta on Sunday.

The 35-year-old goal poacher, injured or overlooked for much of the season, grabbed the opener after seven minutes when he turned in Marek Jankulovski's cross.

Nervy Milan, who lost 2-1 at Sampdoria last weekend, almost let Atalanta back into the game before two more trademark Inzaghi strikes midway through the second half.

He ran onto Alexandre Pato's [ Images ] delightful pass and lifted the ball over the goalkeeper before slotting home. Soon after, he tapped in Gianluca Zambrotta's cross after a neat move.

David Beckham celebrated the extension of his loan deal until June by playing in a new role behind the forwards for injury-hit Milan, who were without Kaka [ Images ] and Ronaldinho [ Images ].

The Rossoneri are now five points clear in the final automatic Champions League [ Images ] qualifying spot after fourth-placed Fiorentina were beaten 2-0 at home by Palermo.

Simplicio gave the mid-table Sicilians the lead early in the second period after Sebastien Frey had saved Fabrizio Miccoli's shot. Miccoli scored a fine second on 56 minutes to stun the off-colour Florence club.

Lazio reignited their hopes of a UEFA [ Images ] Cup berth by winning 2-0 at Napoli thanks to Tommaso Rocchi's classy double.

Early pacesetters Napoli have now not won in nine and coach Edy Reja is increasingly under pressure.

Towards the bottom, Serie A top scorer Marco Di Vaio netted the second hat-trick of the day to give Bologna a 3-0 win over inconsistent Sampdoria and take his season's tally to 19.

Reggina, four adrift at the foot of the table, drew 0-0 at second-bottom Lecce but were unlucky that Bernardo Corradi's effort was ruled not to have crossed the line.

Serie A leaders Inter Milan [ Images ] maintained their seven-point advantage on Saturday when the champions won 2-0 at Genoa and second-placed Juventus [ Images ], five above Milan, beat derby rivals Torino 1-0.