AC Milan torn apart by Inzaghi

Veteran Filippo Inzaghi fired a hat-trick to send AC Milan second in Serie A following a 5-1 win over Torino at the San Siro on Sunday.

It was Inzaghi’s second hat-trick in his last six matches and took his tally during that period to nine goals to continue his remarkable resurrection this season. He was not even a regular first team starter until last month and this was only his 10th league start of the campaign.

Inzaghi’s combination with former England captain David Beckham was the true architect of this victory. Even so, the Englishman paid tribute to his team-mate.

“Everybody knows that he’s one of the best goalscorers,” said Beckham. “He always scores goals, wherever he is on the field. You put the ball in the right place and he scores.”

Beckham set up Inzaghi’s first two goals and even provided the cross for a disallowed effort for the goal-machine early on. It was as if Beckham’s right foot and Inzaghi’s head had their own personal radar relationship.

The win moved Milan level on points with Juventus but with a better goal difference, although final league positions are decided on head-to-head records if teams finish with equal points. Juve currently lead that having beaten Milan 4-2 at home in December but the two teams meet in Milan next month in what will surely be a direct battle for second place.

With Beckham restored to Milan’s starting line-up following two games as an unused substitute due to a shoulder injury, he and Inzaghi tore Torino apart.