Mitoma: I have to thank Bart Verbruggen for my goal!

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Kaoru's wonder strike against Chelsea secured him the trophy.

Nick Szczepanik

2025-05-08T13:00+01:00

The Japan international has scored 23 goals in all competitions in his Albion career. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Kaoru Mitoma has admitted that he surprised himself with the quality of the strike against Chelsea that won him the Men’s Goal of the Season at the club’s Players’ Awards night.

It came in the first half of the Premier League game at home to Chelsea on February 14 when he controlled a long pass from Bart Verbruggen with a sweet first touch, sidestepped defender Trevoh Chalobah and drilled the ball past the diving Filip Jorgensen.

The goal was voted both Premier League goal of the month and BBC goal of the month for February and also gave Kaoru the club trophy for the second successive year. His dribble past four Wolves defenders at Molineux was Albion goal of the season in 2023/24.

“After the goal I felt a little bit surprised myself,” he said. “The first touch was good. I didn’t expect it but I think hard work paid off. And of course I want to say that my teammates were very important.”

His instant control of a ball dropping over his shoulder drew admiration from teammates at the time but also former professionals and pundits.

“I don’t know how everyone else thinks about my goal, but this goal shows my strengths,” he said. “It depends of course how we attack, how we try to score and of course the other team but I really tried to move tactically and that helped us. And of course thanks Bart!”

Kaoru Mitoma has won the goal of the season for two consecutive campaigns. 📷 by James Boardman.

The goal was just one of a number of highlights for our Japan winger, which included a goal and an assist in the 3-1 victory away to Manchester United, the winner against Chelsea in the FA Cup and, recently, his headed equaliser in the 3-2 home win against West Ham.

His hopes for next season are ones that everyone connected with the club shares.

“We are still not finished but yes, I think next season we’ll try to get Europe and of course Champions League. And for everyone not to get injuries!”