Erling Haaland reaches 100 Premier League goals in record time
Erling Haaland etched his name into Premier League history this evening, netting his 100th top-flight goal in just his 111th appearance during Manchester City’s fixture at Craven Cottage, reports BritPanorama.
The Norwegian striker’s 17th-minute effort demolished Alan Shearer’s benchmark of 124 matches, a record that had stood since 1995. This milestone comes after a brief drought, where Haaland failed to score in consecutive matches against Newcastle and Leeds, and did not find the net as a substitute in the Champions League against Bayer Leverkusen.
His goal brought that barren spell to a decisive end. The 24-year-old’s remarkable pace to a century of goals leaves some of the Premier League’s greatest marksmen trailing in his wake. Harry Kane required 141 appearances, Sergio Agüero needed 147, and Thierry Henry took 160 matches to reach the same tally. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah reached the landmark in 162 outings.
Tonight’s strike confirmed Haaland as the 35th player to enter the exclusive Premier League 100 club, drawing level with Matt Le Tissier on exactly a century of goals. Cristiano Ronaldo sits just ahead on 103, with Haaland now firmly in his sights. City manager Pep Guardiola reflected on Shearer’s achievements before the match, emphasising the former Newcastle striker’s sustained excellence, stating, “His quality to score goals in big teams.”
Guardiola remarked on Haaland’s potential, suggesting that matching Haaland with Shearer was “really good for both of them.” He hinted that Haaland could eventually challenge both Kane and Shearer’s all-time records if he maintains his current scoring rate over many seasons.
During the 2022-23 season, Haaland scored 36 goals, setting a new record for a 38-game Premier League campaign, surpassing the previous overall record of 34 goals held by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole. He was also the fastest to reach 50 Premier League goals, achieving this milestone in only 48 appearances. In his debut season, he netted a total of 52 goals across all competitions for Manchester City, a record for a Premier League player.
As Haaland strides forward in his career, the footballing world watches keenly to see just how far his remarkable scoring prowess will take him. Each goal serves as a reminder of the thrilling unpredictability of the game, where records shatter, yet admiration remains constant.
