Mitoma scores double-digit EPL goals as Brighton defeats Liverpool 3-2

Kaoru Mitoma (28, Brighton) became the first Japanese player to score double-digit goals in a single season of the English Premier League (EPL) on his birthday.

Brighton defeated Liverpool 3-2 in a home match of the 2024-2025 EPL Round 37 at the American Express Stadium in Palmer, England, on the 20th (Korea time).

Mitoma was subbed in during the 20th minute of the second half when the team was trailing 1-2 and scored the equalizer in the 24th minute during a counterattack.

This goal is Mitoma's 10th of the season and his 20th career goal in the EPL.

He became the first Japanese player to reach double-digit goals in a single season of the EPL. It is also a personal milestone.

In the early part of the game, Liverpool dominated. In the 9th minute of the first half, Harvey Elliott scored the opening goal.

Brighton narrowed the gap with a goal from Yasin Ayari in the 32nd minute of the first half, but allowed a wonder goal from Dominik Szoboszlai in stoppage time of the first half, going into the break trailing 1-2.

The atmosphere in the second half was completely different. The momentum shifted when Mitoma was brought on. Just four minutes after his introduction, in the 24th minute of the second half, he finished with his left foot after Danny Welbeck's shot was blocked by the goalkeeper and rebounded.

The team that emerged victorious at the end was Brighton. In the 40th minute of the second half, Jack Hinchwood scored the winner with a right-foot shot from a cross by Matt O'Riley, bringing Liverpool to its knees with a score of 3-2.

Continuing an unbeaten streak of four games (3 wins, 1 draw), Brighton has risen to 8th place in the league with a record of 15 wins, 13 draws, and 9 losses (58 points). Liverpool, having already secured the championship (83 points), has not won in the last three games (1 draw, 2 losses).

Japanese local media responded enthusiastically to Mitoma's performance.

"Football Zone" applauded, saying, "Mitoma scored an acrobatic equalizer, becoming the first Japanese player to record double-digit goals in a single season of the EPL."

"Football Digest" noted the significance of the match-up between Liverpool's Wataru Endo and Mitoma, drawing attention.

Japan national team player Mitoma started his professional career at Kawasaki Frontale before transferring to Brighton in 2021. To adapt to the European stage, he was immediately loaned to Royal Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium and returned to Brighton in the summer of 2022, where he has been making an impressive impact.

[OSEN]