Kaka returned to the AC Milan line-up with a superb opening goal in a 3-1 win over Cagliari. Milan had something to prove having lost three of their last four league games, and the Brazilian handed them a dream start with a curling 18-yard effort after just eight minutes.

Filippo Inzaghi, on his own return from a month-long injury, then headed in an Andrea Pirlo corner after half an hour.

Though Daniele Conti pulled one back with a free kick just after half-time, Inzaghi struck again with a solo goal 20 minutes from time to secure three points.

Cagliari remain the lowest placed of four teams on 29 points, lying in 18th, while the win takes Milan up to fifth.

Milan immediately outlined their attacking intent against a five-man midfield, Gennaro Gattuso trying his luck in the opening minute with a 25-yard shot which went just over.

Then in the eigth minute Kaka, having missed Milan's last two league games, curled a shot from the edge of the penalty area into Genoa goalkeeper Marco Storari's top left corner.

A 16th-minute Andrea Pirlo free-kick just missed the left post, and seven minutes later Kaka found Clarence Seedorf but the Dutchman shot wide.

Carlo Ancelotti was given a headache when Kakha Kaladze was booked in the 22nd minute, meaning both the Georgian and defensive partner Alessandro Nesta will be suspended for next Saturday's trip to Juventus.

Winger Andrea Cossu proved Cagliari's sole early threat, his crossed shot from the left saved well by Kalac near his right post on 27 minutes.

But Milan soon confirmed their dominance when Inzaghi headed in from close range after a cross from Andrea Pirlo on the right.

On 38 minutes Storari denied Milan a third, diving well to save Kaka's 30-yard drive, then the Brazilian curled a shot narrowly wide from eight yards on 41 minutes.

A minute later Cagliari defender Davide Biondini went close with a speculative long-range shot, and the Rossoblu pulled one back with a free-kick soon after half time.

Daniele Conti's curling effort from 20 yards slipped through the fingers of Zeljko Kalac, who saw the ball late.

Jeda's 10-yard shot looked to have equalised two minutes later but Kalac parried for a corner.

Inzaghi could not make the most of a Seedorf through-ball on 55 minutes, seconds before visiting defender Diego Lopez skimmed the outside of his own post when he deflected an Inzaghi shot.

Alessandro Matri volleyed just wide from close range on 59 minutes, before two injuries in the space of five minutes soured the evening for Ancelotti.

On the hour Giuseppe Favalli was substituted with muscle problems, while Gattuso was taken off with a knee injury on 65 minutes.

But Milan continued to press, and on 69 minutes Inzaghi scored his second to take the game away from the Islanders.

The 34-year-old took the ball past three defenders and Storari before slipping, but he managed to convert from a tight angle.

Seedorf slipped while trying a 20-yard effort on 73 minutes, and four minutes later Kalac denied Robert Acquafresca after he had passed Kaladze.

Milan missed further chances of their own, Inzaghi firing wide from 10 yards on 81 minutes, while Daniele Bonera's low effort from distance soon after was parried well by Storari.

Kalac saved from Jeda at his near post on 86 minutes, while in stoppage time Kaka tried his luck with a curling shot from close range, but Storari parried for a corner to keep the score 3-1.

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