Here’s A Strike So Sweet That The Sugar Tax Should Probably Be Enforced

Southampton’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg did it. The Danish midfielder achieved the kind of hit that we all dream of — the one that’s smacked so clean that it doesn’t spin, it just arrows its way on a straight course into the corner. It’s the kind of pure strike that'll undoubtedly give way to someone commenting, “So what?! I do that every Sunday in my Men’s League!” and that’s because they have absolutely zero understanding of what’s just happened here.

Let’s start with the best angle; the one that shows the ball going straight from the laces to the back of the net with absolutely zero frills (no spin, no height, no curve, just raw, nasty power and a bit of knuckle to squeeze inside the post).

It's even better from this angle #SOUBHA pic.twitter.com/BlieJsjDUN

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 17, 2018

And here’s the goal from all angles, including real time. 

Ohhh what a goal! Get in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg! pic.twitter.com/rvn1ScPMwI

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 17, 2018

Unfortunately for Hojbjerg and Southampton, the club would increase its lead through Danny Ings in the 65th minute, only to see Brighton salvage a 2-2 draw through Shane Duffy and a last-gasp goal from 34-year-old Glenn Murray.

Murray now has four goals in five games (!!!).