Christian Pulisic was once again the star man as AC Milan made an early-season statement in a 2-1 win over Napoli to move top of Serie A.
Pulisic grabbed a sensational assist within the first three minutes at San Siro, then added a 31st-minute goal to give his side a two-goal advantage. Despite going down to 10 men in the second half, Milan held on for a vital three points over the defending champions.
The win was Milan's fourth straight in Serie A, taking the Rossoneri into first place on goal differential over previously unblemished Napoli.
After a stunning loss to Cremonese to begin the campaign, Milan (4W-0D-1L) looks like an early-season title contender under new coach Max Allegri. Pulisic is a major factor behind Milan's resurgence, as the U.S. men's national team star is now up to six goals and two assists in seven total games.
That includes four goals and two assists in his past three games after last week's dominant effort against Udinese and a midweek Coppa Italia goal against Lecce.
The 27-year-old made a major impact just three minutes in after taking a positive first touch with the outside of his foot past Luca Marianucci near midfield. Pulisic carried on into Napoli's half and once again beat a lunging Marianucci before playing a perfect low cross for Alexis Saelemaekers to finish at the back post.
Pulisic was at it again later in the half. Strahinja Pavlović found Youssouf Fofana in the box and the French midfielder played a perfect first-touch layoff to Pulisic, whose first-time shot deflected off a defender and into the net.
The match turned in the 57th minute when Pervis Estupiñán was sent off for a foul in the box on Giovanni Di Lorenzo. Kevin De Bruyne converted from the spot to halve the deficit.
Pulisic, whom Allegri said before the game nearly wasn't able to start, was quickly subbed off for Davide Bartesaghi in a defensive change, with Milan holding on from there. AC Milan has a high-profile clash against Juventus next weekend before the international break.
Earlier on, Roma joined Napoli at the top of Serie A on Sunday after beating Verona 2-0 ahead of the reigning champions' hotly-anticipated clash with AC Milan.
Artem Dovbyk nodded home his first goal of the season early on at the Stadio Olimpico before Matias Soule ensured that Roma would move up to second on 12 points with 11 minutes remaining.
Gian Piero Gasperini's team, who host Lille in the Europa League on Thursday, are behind Napoli on goal difference after a bitty performance in gloriously sunny Rome.
"A number of players were having difficulties as it was the first time this season we've played three games in a week and not everyone recovered fully," said Gasperini to DAZN.
"We had problems that we've not had in other games, you could see that some players were not at their sharpest... we struggled more than we should have done."
Verona are 16th on three points and yet to win this season but Paolo Zanetti's team performed well and should have been level in the 28th minute, when Gift Orban somehow hit the bar when presented with a chance to score from less than six yards out in front of an open goal.
One of Napoli or Milan will be top of the division come Sunday night with a draw at the San Siro enough for Antonio Conte's league leaders to hold on to top spot.
Pisa came close to their first win in Serie A in over three decades but had to settle for a goalless draw with Tuscan rivals Fiorentina.
Henrik Meister sent Pisa fans wild when he smashed home what looked like the opening goal in the 71st minute but VAR officials spotted him handling the ball in the lead-up to his shot.
Juan Cuadrado then struck the post shortly afterwards but Alberto Gilardino's promoted team stay in the relegation zone on two points in their first top-flight season since 1990/91.
Fiorentina, who had two Moise Kean goals ruled out for offside, are only a point above the drop zone after a poor start to the season under new coach Stefano Pioli.