Keisuke Honda started his second Serie A season with a bang on Sunday, opening his 2014-15 account in the first half of AC Milan's 3-1 win over Lazio.
Honda struck in the seventh minute on the counterattack, netting from Stephan El Shaarawy's cross with his right foot to set Milan on its way.
Sulley Muntari and Jeremy Menez scored on the other side of halftime at the San Siro to give new manager Filippo Inzaghi his first victory.
"I wanted to score," said Honda, who is on his way back to Japan for a pair of friendlies against Uruguay and Venezuela during the international week. "I'm really glad it went in.
"The competition for places is stiff. We needed a win today, and I'm glad we got one."
Honda is off to a welcome start after scoring just once in 14 league games last season for Milan, which he joined during the winter transfer window from CSKA Moscow.