Hernan Crespo marked his return to the Lazio starting line-up with a majestic hat-trick, firing a warning shot to Milan and Bologna that suggests Lazio's hopes of a Champions League place may not be over just yet.

Crespo demonstrated his versatility, opening the scoring with a well placed looping header, added Lazio's third with a well taken penalty, and fired Lazio's fourth with a great dribble and a rifling drive after latching on to a defensive mistake just as his team began to teeter.

Zaccheroni found space for both Giannichedda and Stefano Fiore, despite refusing to give up his beloved 4-4-2, playing Crespo alongside Simeone Inzaghi up front, leaving the disappointing Mendieta on the bench alongside Fabio Liverani. Claudio Lopez's ankle injury meant he didn't even make the squad.

Crespo had already gone close to breaking the deadlock before the opening goal arrived and his side looked like going in 2-0 up at half-time following Pancaro's header, which was almost a carbon copy of Crespo's opening goal, but a foul by Marasco on Giannichedda resulted in a Lazio penalty and Crespo buried the demons of his misssed effort against Chievo with an unstoppable shot.

Venezia have already accepted their destiny, doomed to relegation to Serie-B, but they refused to lie down without a fight. Seemingly overwhelmed at 3-0 down, goals from Bettarini and the prolific Pippo Maniero hauled them back into contention at 3-2. Bettarini striking a great free-kick and Maniero scoring with a glancing header. But the threat of a comeback was all too brief, Crespo sealed their fate just within one minute, making the final scoreline 4-2.

Lazio face title challengers Roma next week at the Stadio Olimpico and a win will go some way to restoring their pride, even if they don't gain that coveted Champions League place.