JAMIE CARRAGHER was left in awe as Kaoru Mitoma produced a moment of magic during Brighton’s 3-0 dismantling of Chelsea on Friday night.
Mitoma, 27, opened up the scoring for the Seagulls with a superb goal that saw him pull off a sensational first touch to bring down a long ball and get the better of Trevoh Chalobah.
The goal seemingly came from nothing as goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen lumped the ball up the pitch towards the front line.
It was that lofty clearance-cum-pass that was plucked out of the air like an apple off a tree by Mitoma, opening up the chance to curl an effort past Chelsea keeper Filip Jorgensen.
Mitoma did just that, guiding the ball into the bottom corner and putting the Seagulls in front at the Amex.
Commentator Jamie Carragher was amongst those blown away by the sensational touch and finish.
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Speaking on Sky Sports’ coverage of the match, he said: “What have we just seen? That was outrageous from Mitoma.”
Adding: “The touch is as good as anything you will see in the Premier League this season. Wow. And the finish isn’t bad either.”
Supporters watching on from home were just as taken aback by the silky move and took to social media to wax lyrical about the goal – with loads comparing it to Dennis Bergkamp’s stunning flick against Newcastle back in 2002.
One fan wrote: “That Mitoma touch. Sexiest PL moment since Bergkamp.”
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Others also drew comparisons with Bergkamp – and may have been referring to his incredible touch for Holland against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup where he plucked the ball out of there air before firing it home.
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While another agreed: “That Kaoru Mitoma goal needs to be treated alongside the Van Basten’s and Bergkamp’s of this world, technically you cannot better that! Absolutely unworldly!”
And third posted: “Just saw Mitoma’s goal, even Dennis Bergkamp would be proud of that.”
And a fourth gushed: “Mitoma just painted a masterpiece with his boots.”
Mitoma is well on track to have his best goalscoring return in the Premier League since his debut in 2022, having scored six goals and registered three assists in 25 league appearances this season so far.
The Japanese international has been catching the eye of potential suitors too.
Brighton turned down a stunning bid worth around £75MILLION from Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr in January.
The Seagulls are flying high in the league after going on to beat Chelsea 3-0 thanks to a double from Yankuba Minteh after Mitoma’s moment to remember.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side are now just four points off fifth place, and only six points off Chelsea in the top four heading into the remaining Premier League fixtures this weekend.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
