Lazio steam-rollered the Viola at the Olimpico in a commanding performance to fly into second place, but Mauro Zarate could've had a hat-trick!

The moods were different, as the Biancocelesti went from leaders to recovering from a 4-1 hammering at Milan, while the Viola notched up their first win of the season. Alberto Gilardino was in spectacular form, but Adrian Mutu returned from a rest period. In Tommaso Rocchi's absence, Mauro Zarate has surged to the top of the Capocannoniere charts with four goals in his first three Serie A games. Pasquale Foggia made a rare start, pushing Stefano Mauri back into midfield.

Goran Pandev went on a mazy run for Zarate to fire wide with the inside of his right foot. A few minutes later they went very close again, as Pandev fired straight at Sebastien Frey.

The referee waved away penalty appeals for a Dario Dainelli tackle on Zarate, then a ricochet off Felipe Melo almost turned a free kick into an own goal in Lazio's favour.

Frey's palms were stung by a Zarate right-foot strike, but Alessandro Gamberini accidentally headbutted Stefano Mauri when trying to nod in a free kick from six yards.

Pandev threaded through a great pass for Zarate, who again failed to make the most of it when face-to-face with Frey, the finish with the inside of the right foot too close to the goalkeeper.

Moments later Zarate wasted another golden opportunity from close range on Cristian Brocchi's deflected attempt.

Lazio finally took the lead in chaotic fashion. Foggia's cross was nodded on to the underside of the bar by Zarate, but Mauri turned the ricochet into the net from close range with a spectacular overhead kick.

It opened the floodgates and Pandev made it 2-0. Zarate started the move with a slalom and Pandev pounced on the loose ball to stroke into the net with the inside of his right foot.

Fiorentina fell to pieces and just seconds after a desperate save to deny Zarate at the foot of the near post, Sebastiano Siviglia was allowed a totally free header at the back post from Foggia's cross.

Pandev and Mauri continued to trouble the confused Viola back line and it could easily have been a wider scoreline.