Brighton's Japanese midfielder Kaoru Mitoma made history on January 19, 2024, as he scored one goal and provided one assist against Manchester United, breaking the record for the most Premier League goals scored by a Japanese player. With this impressive performance, Mitoma now stands alone at the top with a total of 15 goals, surpassing the previous record held by Shinji Okazaki.
The Premier League match at Old Trafford ended with Brighton defeating Manchester United 3-1, marking Brighton's second consecutive victory. Mitoma's contributions were pivotal to the win and showcased his ability to perform under pressure.
The action kicked off early when, just five minutes in, Mitoma set the tone for the match by assisting Yankuba Mente for the opening goal. Receiving a long pass from Carlos Baleba, Mitoma executed a perfect trap before entering the penalty area. Instead of shooting, he cleverly laid the ball off for Mente, who scored with ease.
United responded strongly to going behind. They fought back when Amad Diallo intercepted Brighton's goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen's pass which led to Bruno Fernandes leveling the score with a penalty kick after Joshua Zirkzee was fouled inside the box.
After halftime, the match intensified as both teams looked for the upper hand. Brighton had the ball denied by VAR due to a foul committing by their player just before the ball hit the net. Despite the disallowed goal, Mitoma remained optimistic and focused. It wasn’t long before he found himself on the scoresheet again.
Fifteen minutes after the break, Brighton’s attacking midfielder Ayari set the stage for Mitoma’s goal with excellent play, passing to Mente. Mente's cross found Mitoma, who outmaneuvered his defender to strike with his right foot, netting what would become the winning goal.
This goal marked Mitoma’s fifth of the season and his remarkable 15th Premier League goal. Clearly exhilarated with his breakthrough, he expressed, "I can't express how happy I am to set this record for my country. Every goal feels like it's for all of us back home." It was not just about the personal achievement; Mitoma’s efforts symbolize his commitment to the club and his pride as part of Japan's rising football profile.
To add to Brighton's comfort, Jorginho Rutter scored the third goal late in the second half, taking advantage of another mistake by United's goalkeeper, Andre Onana. Though United had dreams of replicatively scoring three goals as they did earlier this season, Brighton's defense held strong, and the match concluded without any threat to their lead.
With this remarkable performance, Mitoma's record will surely inspire many young athletes back home. His achievement not only brings honor to his family's name but also enriches the legacy of Japanese football within the Premier League, setting the stage for aspiring players who aim to follow in his footsteps.
Brighton will look to continue this momentum as they take the pitch for their upcoming matches, with Mitoma undoubtedly being one of the key players to watch. His combination of skill, creativity, and now record-breaking performance suggests he’s only just getting started.