ZLATAN Ibrahimovic celebrated his return from a three-match ban by scoring a 15-minute first-half hat-trick as AC Milan prepared for tomorrow’s Champions League visit to the Emirates with a 4-0 demolition of Palermo in Serie A on Saturday.

The away win took title holders Milan three points clear of second-placed Juventus who only managed a 1-1 draw at home to mid-table Chievo despite taking a first-half lead through Paolo De Ceglie.

Robinho set up the first two of Ibrahimovic’s goals while Thiago Silva completed the scoring as eighth-placed Palermo were overwhelmed. Ibrahimovic joins Udinese’s Antonio Di Natale as Serie A’s leading scorer on 18 goals.