United States standout Christian Pulisic reached double figures in goals for the first time in a league season when his sublime strike began AC Milan's 3-0 win over 10-man Lecce in Serie A on Saturday.

Pulisic's early goal and 10th in the Italian league surpassed his previous best of nine in the 2019-20 English Premier League for Chelsea. The winger also has three goals in Europe and had already bettered his overall scoring record.

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Pulisic, 25, joined Milan last summer in hopes of reviving his club career after a disappointing end to his four-year stay at Chelsea.

After his goal Saturday, Pulisic received praise from Milan manager Stefano Pioli.

"I knew Pulisic's quality, but when we talked on a video call, I sensed something very positive. He was very eager, curious, interested in everything I had to say," Pioli told DAZN.

"He doesn't talk very much, but it's the attitude that shines through from a person. His attitude is fantastic; he is an exemplary professional and hard worker who will help the team to get stronger.

Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leão also scored against Lecce, which played the entire second half with 10 men after forward Nikola Krstović was sent off.

Milan could even afford to ring the changes in the second half with Thursday's Europa League quarterfinal against Roma in mind. Roma beat Lazio 1-0 in the capital derby later Saturday.

Second-placed Milan trimmed the gap to runaway Serie A leader Inter Milan to 11 points ahead of the Nerazzurri's match at Udinese on Monday.

Lecce remained four points above the drop zone.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.