Andrei Shevchenko's first-half opener was followed by Clarence Seedorf's brace as Milan chalked up their 11th league victory in 12 matches and left reigning champions Juventus nine points adrift in third place with just nine games left.

Shevchenko headed in Seedorf's cross in the 25th minute for his 18th league goal of the season before Seedorf found the net himself, his low drive clipping Juve defender Ciro Ferrara on its way past Gianluigi Buffon.

Dutch international Seedorf capped an impressive display by grabbing Milan's third 15 minutes from time with an angled shot before Ferrara side-footed home a late consolation goal for the Scudetto holders.

On a good day for the European champions, second-placed Roma could only manage a goalless draw at struggling Reggina.

Milan have 64 points from their 25 matches, seven more than Roma, who are two ahead of Juve.

Defeat for Juventus, who lost last season's Champions League final to Milan on penalties, was their second at the Delle Alpi stadium in six days following their loss to Deportivo La Coruna.

A 1-0 victory for the Spaniards on Tuesday dumped the 'Old Lady' out of the Champions League, while Milan booked their place in the quarter-finals with a 4-1 win over Sparta Prague.

Juventus's hopes of salvaging something from a disappointing season would now appear to rest on the Italian Cup final in which they face Lazio on Wednesday.

Juventus coach Marcello Lippi was magnanimous in defeat and applauded his players despite being hopelessly outclassed in front of their own fans.

"I cannot criticise my players as they gave everything they could, but Milan were excellent in every area of the pitch and played with a great calmness that comes with a long line of positive results," he said.

"We were unfortunate to concede the first goal at a time when we were enjoying a good spell of pressure and then a deflection helped give Milan a 2-0 lead. But even at 3-0 down we never gave up and battled right to the end."

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti refused to rule Juventus out of the title race despite outclassing their fierce rivals for their first win in Turin for five years.

"Id say they are far from dead and buried," he said. "Juventus never know when they are beaten."

Ancelotti said Milan's strength owed much to his early season rotation policy.

"Our secret is that we defend well and can turn up the tempo of the match when we need to," he said.

"We've been a bit more careful in spreading out our energies during the first six months and that has allowed us to stay fresh even now."

Lazio kept hold of fourth place despite throwing away a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw at home to Udinese.

Roberto Muzzi and Simone Inzaghi scored with headers in the first six minutes before former Lazio midfielder Lucas Castroman produced one of his own to keep Udinese in the match.

Lazio rarely looked convincing after a blistering start and had to be content with a point after Vincenzo Iaquinta's equaliser in the third minute of stoppage-time.

Parma remain fifth behind Lazio on goal difference after being held by the same scoreline at home to Brescia for whom Roberto Baggio's 200th Serie A goal earned a share of the spoils.

Inter Milan ended a run of four defeats but a disappointing 0-0 draw against Chievo at the San Siro will do little to pacify their irate fans.

Inter's Greek midfielder Giorgios Karagounis went close to breaking the stalemate, his fierce first-half free-kick coming back off the bar.

Perugia remain firmly entrenched in the relegation zone after drawing 1-1 at home to Modena, while Siena greatly improved their chances of staying up with a 3-2 victory over bottom club Ancona.

On Saturday, Sampdoria maintained their push for a place in Europe next season with a 3-2 home victory over Bologna, while relegation-threatened Empoli were held to a goalless draw at home to in-form Lecce.