Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma was placed in the same bracket as Lionel Messi and Dennis Bergkamp after producing an exquisite touch before firing in one of the great Premier League goals against Chelsea on Friday night.
The Japan forward scored Brighton’s opener against Chelsea in the 26th minute with undoubtedly the best goal of his career as the Seagulls ran out 3-0 winners.
From a long goal kick upfield by Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, Mitoma watched the ball all the way onto his foot before producing an deft touch to bring it instantly under control.
He then cut inside and drove past Trevoh Chalobah before curling the ball past Filip Jorgensen and into the corner of the net.
It was a goal of utter beauty and left Jamie Carragher, commentating for Sky Sports, in raptures.
‘What have we just seen? That was outrageous from Mitoma,’ said the former Liverpool defender.
Kaoru Mitoma produces an outrageous piece of skill to control the ball before firing in
The Brighton forward somehow instantly controlled a long ball from his keeper
As if that wasn’t enough, Mitoma’s finish was special too, finding the corner from 20 yards
‘The touch is as good as anything you’ll see in the Premier League this season. Wow. And the finish isn’t bad either. It’s Messi-like. And I don’t say that lightly.’
He then added in the second-half: ‘The more I like at it, the more I think it’s one of the best goals I’ve seen.’
Carragher gave Mitoma his man-of-the-match award at the end of the game ‘for that goal alone.’
In the studio, Gary Neville was reminded by presenter Kelly Cates of two similar goals Dennis Bergkamp scored – one for the Netherlands against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup and another for Arsenal against Leicester during the previous season.
‘This is really special,’ said Neville.
‘[Dennis] Bergkamp did the same at Leicester and he is one of the greatest players we have seen. Almost an artist on the pitch.
Mitoma is the toast of the Amex Stadium after opening the scoring in Brighton’s 3-0 victory
Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher (left) and Gary Neville were left stunned by the goal
Jamie Carragher thought the touch was worthy of Argentina and Barcelona great Lionel Messi
While it reminded Gary Neville of Dennis Bergkamp’s wonder strike at the 1998 World Cup
‘The balance, the touch, the way he shifts the ball to the side is just spectacular it really is.
‘The goalkeeper should save it, it is not in the corner, he gets his hand to it but it is not a good moment for him.
‘It lit up the whole match. It’s a very special goal that. He’s a fantastic player. I would have hated to play against him.’
Fans joined the two Sky pundits in their praise for the quality of the goal.
One wrote on X: ‘Kaoru. Mitoma. Has. The. Best. Touch. I’ve. Ever. Seen. Live. End. Of.’
While another added: ‘Serious contender for goal of the season. Wow Mitoma.’
