Never-obtained Manchester United target hits half-century of Serie A goals as Lazio hammer Spezia

If you've been following transfer news in the past three or four years, you've probably read the name of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic more time than any other. Lazio's Serbian midfielder has been linked to Manchester United, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and quite a few other top clubs in every transfer window. And yet, Lazio's stubborn president Claudio Lotito was determined to keep the heart and soul of his team - Sergej has stayed.

Today, the 27-year-old playmaker scored his 50th goal for Lazio as the Roman club outclassed Spezia at the sunshine-soaked Stadio Olimpico. SMS, as he's often referred to, scored the third goal for his team in a 3-0 victory, side-footing easily after Ciro Immobile and Mattia Zaccagni combined well in a counter-attack. The Serbian international celebrated the occasion that not many midfielders get - a half-century of goals (and another) in the Italian top flight and all for the same team. It's a remarkable achievement for the player who arrived from Belgian club Gent seven years ago.

Lazio had a perfect early chance to open the scoring, but their captain Immobile shockingly missed a second-minute penalty. However, the Sky Blues continued to march forward and were 2-0 ahead within 20 minutes of the missed spot-kick. A good finish from Zaccagni and a lovely left-footed volley from recent recruit Alessio Romagnoli set them on course for a straightforward victory. Sergej only confirmed the points just after the hour mark.

The Serbian star increased his tally from 50 to 51 in added time when he lifted a cool finish over goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski.

The victory lifted Maurizio Sarri's team to third in the table, level on points with Atalanta and three behind Napoli - albeit with a match more played. Such strong start of the season is partly thanks to Milinkovic-Savic sticking around. If he continues like this, there's no doubt he'll live to become a living legend at Lazio - even if English newspapers continue to throw his name around whenever Manchester United are going through a rough patch.

SERIE A - ROUND 8

Saturday

Napoli - Torino 3-1 (3-1)

/Anguissa 6, 12, Kvaratskhelia 37 - Sanabria 44/

Inter - Roma 1-2 (1-1)

/Dimarco 30 - Dybala 39, Smalling 75/

Empoli - Milan 1-3 (0-0)

/Bajrami 90+2 - Rebic 80, Ballo-Toure 90+4, Leao 90+7/

Sunday

Lazio - Spezia 4-0 (2-0)

/Zaccagni 12, Romagnoli 24, Milinkovic-Savic 62, 90+1/

16:00: (2.19) Lecce (3.40) Cremonese (3.70)

16:00: (2.14) Sassuolo (3.50) Salernitana (3.80)

16:00: (2.35) Sampdoria (3.35) Monza (3.30)

19:00: (2.04) Atalanta (3.50) Fiorentina (4.10)

21:45: (1.58) Juventus (4.20) Bologna (7.00)

Monday

21:45: (3.05) Verona (3.40) Udinese (2.50)

***odds are subject to change***