09.03.2015 21:01 h

Klose double caps Lazio rout of Fiorentina

A late brace by Miroslav Klose put the icing on the cake as Lazio outclassed Fiorentina 4-0 to move into third place level on points with Napoli in Italy's Serie A on Monday.

Fiorentina travelled to the Stadio Olimpico hoping to build on their 2-1 Italian Cup semi-final win over leaders Juventus in midweek when Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah hit a brace.

But Stefano Pioli's in-form side had other ideas and had the visitors chasing the ball from the early stages.

Lucas Biglia broke the deadlock after just six minutes when he met a Fiorentina clearance with a volley which trickled past the outstretched arm of Norberto Neto in the Fiorentina goal.

Biglia would later smack the upright with a spectacular volley from outside the area as the hosts, in particular Antonio Candreva and Felipe Anderson, ran Vincenzo Montella's men ragged.

Candreva doubled Lazio's lead from the penalty spot on 65 minutes after Brazilian winger Anderson was tripped as he ran into the area.

The goal appeared to tie up the points for Lazio but if there were any lingering doubts, Klose beat his marker to pounce on a loose ball a yard from goal, his diving header putting the match beyond Fiorentina's reach on 75 minutes.

Keita Balde replaced Candreva immediately and the young forward's run into the area caused chaos among the Fiorentina defence, with Klose again on hand to pick up a loose ball to fire his second five minutes from time.

Lazio replaced Napoli in third although Rafael Benitez's men are level on points. Both sides are now four points adrift of Roma, who could see their deficit to leaders Juventus grow to 11 points if the Turin giants account for Sassuolo in Monday's late game.