Ronaldo opened the scoring after 12 minutes for Milan before Luca Saudati equalised for Empoli after 43 minutes.

Alberto Gilardino almost immediately restored the Rossoneri's lead before Giuseppe Favalli made it 3-1 in the second half for Carlo Ancelotti's side who are now on the shoulders of fourth-placed Palermo.

Empoli, under their coach Luigi Cagni, have been the surprise packages of the season in Italy but were quickly on the receiving end at the San Siro.

An early pass from Ronaldo released his fellow Brazilian Kaka but he was denied by goalkeeper Balli who would have a busy night in the visiting goal.

Yoan Gourcuff then watched his shot deflected behind for a corner but soon Milan were in the lead.

Ronaldo outwitted Francesco Pratali and beat Balli with a left-footed shot to open the scoring.

Ronaldo was looking sharp and next he released Gilardino whose shot just went past the post.

Empoli launched a raid which saw Vittorio Tosto miss by a whisker.

Two minutes before the break the team from Tuscany drew level with a volleyed finish from Saudati after good work from Ighli Vannucchi.

But there was still time for Milan to ensure they led at the interval with Ronaldo playing the role of provider as he teed up Gilardino who accepted the gift.

Early in the second-half, Ronaldo's free-kick was deflected behind for a corner and then Gilardino was crowded out by the Empoli defence after he was found by Cafu.

Ronaldo missed a good chance to extend his side's lead after Balli had fumbled a cross from Gourcuff.

However, Cafu had to be alert to snuff out the danger when it looked as though Sergio Almiron was about to level the match for Empoli.

The killer blow came 12 minutes from time from the unlikely source of Favalli.

It was Andrea Pirlo who played the role of provider for Favalli who beat Balli with a right-footed shot.

Cafu then belied his 36 years with a magnificent run and cross that Balli did well to deal with as Milan coasted towards the final whistle.

Balli then had to be alert to deal with a free-kick from Pirlo and the goalkeeper ended the game with another fine save from Gilardino.

Milan can now approach their Champions League quarter-final second-leg match with Bayern Munich in good heart in the knowledge that they have every chance of qualifying for the competition by league position should they fail to win that competition.

Considering the club started the season with an eight-point deduction for match-fixing it would be an acceptable end to what has been a difficult season for Ancelotti's side.