By JEREMY INSON Associated Press Writer

MILAN(AP) -- First-half goals from Thiago Silva and Alexandre Pato gave AC Milan a 2-1 win away to Lazio on Sunday to move up to third in the Serie A standings.

Fiorentina moved up fourth after Juan Vargas secured a 1-0 win at Udinese, while Sampdoria fell to fifth after slumping to a third game without a win by losing 2-0 to Cagliari.

Inter Milan, which played AS Roma later Sunday, is first with 28 points, Juventus is second with 24, Milan has 22, while Fiorentina and Sampdoria both have 21.

Milan took the lead in the 22nd when Andrea Pirlo swung a free kick toward Thiago Silva, who headed in the opener. Milan doubled the lead when Ronaldinho crossed from the left and Pato got in front of Aleksandar Kolarov to head past Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera in the 34th.

"I'm not a goalscorer," Ronaldinho said. "I don't score every game, but I enjoy creating goals, and today I made a good one for Pato."

Mauro Zarate was Lazio's main threat, and it was his shot that led to the hosts' goal in the 64th. The ball rebounded off fullback Massimo Oddo into the path of Thiago Silva, who deflected the ball past Dida for an own goal.

Zarate continued to cause problems for Milan and twice forced Dida into sharp saves, while Lazio captain Tommaso Rocchi failed to the hit the target with a header from the Argentine striker's cross.

"The first half went well," Ronaldinho said. "The second half was tougher and harder for us to create chances. It was a tough game and I'm happy that we got the three points."

Sampdoria appeared tired and lacking in inspiration against Cagliari and the only chance came from an Angelo Palombo free kick in the first half.

Daniele Dessena missed a great opportunity to give Cagliari the lead when he blasted wide after Davide Biondini had hit the post in the 30th.

With five minutes left, Daniele Conti reacted quickest to a loose ball to head past Castellazzi and Sampdoria's defense was equally hesitant in the 89th and watched as Alessandro Matri headed home from a corner.

In heavy rain, Vargas produced the only moment of inspiration to earn Fiorentina its 1-0 win against Udinese by curling in a free kick with five minutes remaining.

"We knew from the first minute that this was a difficult game," Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli said. "It is a difficult stadium to come to and Udinese is a difficult team to play.

"We stuck to our task though, kept out shape and stuck to our plan, which was very pleasing."

Also Sunday, it was; Bari 1, Livorno 0; Bologna 3, Palermo 1; Genoa 4, Siena 2; Parma 2, Chievo Verona 0.

Updated on Sunday, Nov 8, 2009 11:44 am, EST

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