AC Milan end winless run at home

All three Brazilians in the Devils' attack package were on target, with Golden Ball winner Kaka and 18-year-old debutant Alexandre Pato beefing up the score in the second half.

 As the Italian Serie A resumed after a three-week break, Milan's standing remains low for a side that last month won the Club World Cup.

 The red-blacks lie at mid-table on 21 points, two behind Napoli and 25 adrift from leaders Inter Milan, a position they can mildly improve through the three games they have in hand.

 Ronaldo celebrated his return after a long absence, twice putting Milan ahead in the pulsating game at the brimming Giuseppe Meazza.

 A feeble shot from the Phenomenon on 10 minutes posed no threat for goalkeeper Gennaro Iezzo, who two minutes later watched a Kaka drive fly high above the bar.

 On 15 minutes, though, Ronaldo controlled a defence-splitting assist from Andrea Pirlo and flicked home the ball despite Iezzo's deflection and a clearing attempt from Andrea Cupi.

 Napoli came close after just one minute as Roberto Sosa fumbled a mouthwatering chance favoured by a defensive blunder. The Argentinian did not fail on 27 minutes, levelling from close range off a perfect feed by Ezequiel Lavezzi.

 Pato, meanwhile, was rather active up front, firing a central drive on 20 minutes and twice missing inside the area on 31 minutes before veteran Clarence Seedorf slammed home for 2-1.

 The young Brazilian tried again on 34 minutes, forcing Iezzo's prodigious save by his right post, but the Devils' lead was again short-lived as Maurizio Domizzi on 38 minutes levelled from the spot kick following Kaladze's flooring of Lavezzi.

 One minute into the second half, a precise cross from Seedorf allowed Ronaldo to nod past Iezzo, who was stunned again on 68 minutes by a nasty low shot from Kaka.

 Pato's goal came on 74 minutes with a classy flick past the onrushing Iezzo, who later managed a last save on a fierce effort from the young talent.

 "The whole team was very good, and I dedicate the goal to my family and my girlfriend, ... but the true Phenomenon remains Ronaldo," Pato said.

 Earlier Sunday, Inter beat Siena 3-2 to rise onto 46 points from 18 games and retain a seven-point lead on Roma, who beat Atalanta 2- 1.

DPA