The only man who has caused serious pandemic in the English Premier League, EPL in recent years has continued to cause more upset, and his praises is seen on the lips of many football lovers, with the most recent being after City’s game against West Ham on Wednesday night, May 3, 2023. Well, the name is Erling Haaland and he has literally been on fire since his entrance into the EPL less than a year ago.
Well, the Norwegian international has broken a Premier League record of over two decades, as he broke the EPL record for most goals in a single season, following Man City’s 3-0 thrashing of West Ham United coached by David Moyes in one of the English top flight league games played last night.
Haaland’s 70th minute strike took his goal tally for the season to 35 goals, making him the first ever player in EPL to reach that goal mark in one season. Premier League greats, Andy Cole and Alan Shearer managed to reach 34 goals in a season. As such, Haaland is leading the race with 35 goals, one more ahead of Cole and Shearer, but with more games to still play before the end of the season. On the other hand, he is just 12 goals behind the English all time record holder, Dixie Dean, but Haaland has about nine more games to go for the season.
He has now scored an enviable 51 goals for City in all competition, and on the other hand, his goals have equally been very vital to City, especially in their pursuit for their third consecutive league titles. It has equally helped Guardiola’s men to maintain their 9th straight league wins, hence toppling Arsenal at the summit of the current league table.
Equally, City’s three (3) goals scored against West Ham is the club’s 1000th goal since the arrival of Pep Guardiola to the Manchester club in 2016. And with the club seriously chasing a treble (Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup), more especially the Champions League which has eluded the club for years, it is very much likely to come to fruition this time around, with Haaland leading the attack and onslaught.
Reacting to the great feat achieved by the Norwegian, England and EPL legend, Alan Shearer tweeted, “couldn’t have wanted it to go to a nicer guy. It’s only taken 28 years! He’s the best”.
At the end of the game, both his teammates and coach, Guardiola teamed up to form a “guard of honour” as Haaland walks out of the field at the end of the game. It was indeed a beautiful sight last night at the Etihad!
So, when next you hear the name Erling Haaland, endeavour to put some respect to the name.
(Photo credit: BBC Football, BT Sports)