Erling Haaland Becomes Fastest Player to Score 100 Premier League Goals in Just 111 Games

Erling Haaland has etched his name into English football folklore by becoming the fastest player ever to reach 100 Premier League goals, achieving the remarkable milestone in just 111 appearances for Manchester City. The Norwegian striker’s historic goal came in the 17th minute of Man City’s thrilling 5-4 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage on December 2, 2025, shattering Alan Shearer’s long-standing record that had endured for nearly three decades.

Haaland’s century-reaching strike obliterated Shearer’s previous benchmark by a staggering 13 games. The Newcastle and Blackburn legend had held the record since 1995, when he reached 100 Premier League goals in his 124th match. The margin by which Haaland has broken this record underscores just how exceptional his goalscoring prowess has been since arriving in English football from Borussia Dortmund in July 2022.

The 25-year-old’s achievement places him in the exclusive Premier League 100 Club as the 35th member, but by far the fastest to join this illustrious group. His goal against Fulham was his 15th of the current 2025-26 season in just 14 appearances, maintaining his extraordinary strike rate of more than 0.9 goals per game throughout his Premier League career—a rate that is comfortably the best in the competition’s history.

After the match, Haaland displayed characteristic humility despite his record-breaking feat. “I don’t want to say the words, but when you’re a striker for Man City, you should be delivering great numbers and that’s my job,” he told Sky Sports. “People should criticize me if I don’t. That’s normally what people do, so in the end… I should deliver.” He added, “It’s huge and I’m really proud and, of course it’s a massive thing.”

The Record-Breaking Goal at Craven Cottage

The historic moment arrived in the 17th minute of what would become an absolute thriller at Fulham’s Craven Cottage. After enduring a mini-drought by his extraordinary standards—failing to score in successive games against Newcastle and Leeds for the first time this season—Haaland emphatically ended his brief barren spell with a clinical finish that showcased everything that makes him such a devastating striker.

Jeremy Doku, the Belgian winger who has formed an increasingly effective partnership with Haaland on Manchester City’s left flank, cut inside from the wing and delivered a low, driven cross into the penalty area. The ball found Haaland in his favorite position—lurking dangerously inside the box with space to work. With his trademark explosiveness and predatory instincts, the Norwegian unleashed a powerful left-footed strike that flew past helpless Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno and into the back of the net.

The goal was Haaland’s seventh in seven games against Fulham, continuing his remarkable record against the Cottagers. It gave Manchester City an early lead in what would develop into one of the most entertaining matches of the Premier League season. City raced to a 3-0 advantage and later led 5-1 in the second half before Fulham mounted an incredible rally that fell just short, with the match ending 5-4 in favor of the visitors.

While the match’s dramatic narrative provided entertainment for neutrals, the spotlight belonged firmly to Haaland and his historic achievement. The goal made him the first player since Tottenham’s Heung-Min Son in 2023 to join the 100 Club, but the Norwegian did so in a manner that sets him apart from every player who came before him in Premier League history.

Demolishing a 29-Year Record

The significance of breaking Alan Shearer’s record cannot be overstated. When Shearer reached 100 Premier League goals in his 124th match back in 1995, it established a benchmark that seemed almost untouchable. The Newcastle legend would go on to retire as the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer with 260 goals—a record that still stands today—but his speed to 100 had remained unmatched for nearly three decades.

That record had withstood challenges from some of the Premier League’s most prolific strikers. Thierry Henry, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Premier League history, needed 141 games to reach the century mark. Sergio Agüero, Manchester City’s legendary striker whose all-time club goalscoring record Haaland is rapidly approaching, required 147 appearances. Current Liverpool star Mohamed Salah took 162 games to achieve the feat.

Even more recent goal machines fell well short of Shearer’s mark. Harry Kane, who finished his Tottenham career as the club’s record scorer before moving to Bayern Munich, needed 141 games to reach 100 Premier League goals—30 more than Haaland. The Norwegian has not just broken the record; he has obliterated it, putting the milestone in a completely different stratosphere of achievement.

The 13-game margin by which Haaland has surpassed Shearer’s record is staggering when considered in context. In modern Premier League football, 13 games represents roughly a third of a season. Haaland has effectively reached 100 goals an entire third of a campaign faster than the previous record holder, highlighting the unprecedented nature of his goalscoring consistency.

Shearer himself has acknowledged the inevitable. Speaking in October, the former England captain said, “Yes I believe Haaland will break my record. He’s the perfect striker, his record’s unbelievable, his hunger to score is relentless. He’s quick, strong, agile and reacts faster than most players inside the 6 yard box.” These words from one legend recognizing another underscore the respect Haaland has earned across the football world.

Breaking Down Haaland’s 100 Goals: The Statistics

The manner in which Haaland has accumulated his 100 Premier League goals reveals fascinating insights into his playing style and Manchester City’s tactical approach. An analysis of his century shows a striker who is devastatingly efficient in front of goal, utilizing every weapon in his considerable arsenal.

Erling Haaland’s 100 Premier League Goals Breakdown

Category	Number of Goals	Details
Left-footed goals	71	Primary shooting foot
Right-footed goals	11	Less frequent but effective
Headers	17	Aerial prowess
Other (body)	1	Unique goal vs Chelsea, November 2023
Inside the box	94	Penalty area predator
Outside the box	6	Occasional long-range strikes
Season 2022-23	36	Record-breaking debut season
Season 2023-24	27	Second Golden Boot
Season 2024-25	22	Third season total
Season 2025-26	15	Current season (14 games)

The breakdown reveals that Haaland has scored 71 of his 100 goals with his favored left foot, demonstrating his preference and proficiency on that side. However, his 11 right-footed goals show he’s far from one-dimensional, capable of finishing with either foot when the situation demands. His 17 headed goals highlight aerial ability that adds another dimension to his game, making him a threat from crosses and set pieces as well as through balls.

Perhaps most telling is the location of his goals: 94 have come from inside the penalty area, with just six from outside the box. This statistic reflects both Haaland’s instincts as a penalty box predator and Manchester City’s tactical approach of working the ball into dangerous positions rather than relying on speculative long-range efforts. The Norwegian’s positioning, movement, and finishing ability make him lethal when the ball enters the 18-yard box.

One peculiar entry in his goal tally deserves special mention: in November 2023, during a thrilling 4-4 draw with Chelsea, Haaland scored by sliding his entire body into the ball. This unusual method of scoring epitomizes his relentless desire to find the net by any means necessary, even if it means using unconventional techniques.

Season-by-Season Domination at Manchester City

Erling Haaland’s impact on Manchester City has been immediate, sustained, and utterly transformative. From the moment he arrived from Borussia Dortmund for a reported £51 million fee—now looking like one of the bargains of the century—the Norwegian has rewritten the record books with each passing season.

His debut 2022-23 campaign remains one of the most remarkable individual seasons in Premier League history. Haaland scored an astounding 36 goals in just 35 appearances, shattering the previous single-season record of 34 goals jointly held by Andy Cole (1993-94) and Alan Shearer (1994-95). What makes this achievement even more extraordinary is that Cole and Shearer set their marks in 42-game campaigns, while Haaland required seven fewer matches to surpass them.

Those 36 Premier League goals were part of an astonishing 52-goal haul across all competitions in his debut season, as Manchester City achieved the historic Treble of Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League. His 12 Champions League goals were crucial to European glory, while he also contributed in the domestic cup competitions. No Premier League player had ever scored 52 goals in a single season across all competitions, eclipsing Mohamed Salah’s previous high of 44 in 2017-18.

The 2023-24 season saw what might be termed a “slight” decline by Haaland’s stratospheric standards—he “only” scored 27 Premier League goals in 31 appearances. This tally still earned him his second consecutive Golden Boot as the league’s top scorer and helped Manchester City become the first men’s team to win four consecutive English top-flight titles. Across all competitions, Haaland netted 38 goals, remaining one of European football’s most prolific strikers even in a marginally less dominant campaign.

Last season (2024-25), Haaland scored 22 Premier League goals in 33 appearances. While this represented another small statistical dip, it remained a remarkable return that would represent the career season for most strikers. A brief goal drought in December combined with a spring injury prevented him from challenging Mohamed Salah for the Golden Boot, though his contribution remained vital to City’s continued success.

The current 2025-26 campaign has seen Haaland return to something approaching his debut season form. With 15 goals in just 14 Premier League appearances, he’s scoring at a rate that projects to approximately 40 goals for the full season—which would shatter even his own single-season record. He leads the Golden Boot race by three goals and appears well positioned to claim his third top scorer award in four seasons, which would put him within touching distance of the joint record of four held by Thierry Henry and Mohamed Salah.

Haaland’s Remarkable Consistency Across Opponents

One of the most impressive aspects of Erling Haaland’s 100 Premier League goals is the comprehensive nature of his scoring. The Norwegian has netted against all 23 opponents he has faced since joining Manchester City, demonstrating an ability to find the net regardless of the opposition or tactical setup.

This universal threat is relatively rare in football. Many prolific scorers have “bogey teams” against whom they struggle to register, or particular opponents whose defensive systems give them problems. Haaland has no such weaknesses. From newly promoted sides to title challengers, every Premier League team has conceded to the Norwegian marksman.

Breaking down his goals by opponent reveals some particularly profitable matchups. Wolverhampton Wanderers have been Haaland’s favorite opposition, with the striker scoring 10 goals in just six meetings—an average of 1.67 goals per game. Ipswich Town, despite limited encounters, hold the unwanted distinction of being the club against whom Haaland scores most frequently in terms of minutes per goal, finding the net every 38 minutes against the Tractor Boys.

Fulham, the opponents when he reached his century, have suffered seven goals in seven games against the Norwegian. Other teams to have been particularly vulnerable include Brighton, Manchester United in derby matches, and Burnley. Even traditionally strong defensive sides like Arsenal and Liverpool have been unable to consistently keep Haaland quiet, though Liverpool’s Anfield fortress remains the one Premier League stadium where he has yet to score.

This ability to score against anyone reflects both Haaland’s individual quality and Manchester City’s tactical dominance under Pep Guardiola. The team’s possession-based approach creates numerous goalscoring opportunities, while Haaland’s movement, positioning, and clinical finishing ensure those chances are regularly converted. His eight Premier League hat-tricks—equaling the tallies of Harry Kane, Thierry Henry, and Michael Owen—further demonstrate his capacity for explosive performances against various opponents.

The geographical spread of his goals is equally impressive. Haaland has scored at 22 of the 23 Premier League stadiums he has visited, with only Liverpool’s Anfield remaining unconquered. This comprehensive coverage shows that neither venue nor atmosphere affects his ability to perform, whether playing at historic grounds like Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge or newer venues like Tottenham’s state-of-the-art stadium.

The Path to Shearer’s Ultimate Record

While breaking the record for fastest to 100 Premier League goals represents a monumental achievement, an even more significant milestone looms on Haaland’s horizon: Alan Shearer’s all-time Premier League goalscoring record of 260 goals. The Newcastle legend accumulated this total across 441 appearances between 1992 and 2006, playing for both Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.

The mathematical projection is tantalizing. At his current rate of 0.93 goals per Premier League game, Haaland needs approximately 174 more matches to score the additional 161 goals required to surpass Shearer’s record. Given that he averages 33 Premier League appearances per season, this projection suggests he could break the record in roughly five years and four months—putting the date around March or April 2031.

Crucially, Haaland’s contract with Manchester City runs until 2034, providing more than enough time to achieve this target if he maintains his current level and avoids serious injury. He would be approximately 30-31 years old when reaching 260 goals at his current pace, still well within his prime years as a striker and with potentially several more productive seasons ahead.

Shearer himself has accepted the inevitability of losing his most prized record. Beyond his October comments acknowledging Haaland’s inevitable success, the former England captain has shown pragmatic resignation to the Norwegian’s assault on his milestone. When Harry Kane left Tottenham for Bayern Munich in 2023, Shearer reportedly celebrated privately, knowing his record was safer without England’s captain competing in the Premier League. That temporary reprieve now seems almost irrelevant given Haaland’s extraordinary pace.

However, several factors could influence whether Haaland actually breaks the record. Injuries represent the primary risk—a serious knee or ankle injury could disrupt his remarkable consistency. The physical demands of modern football, particularly for a striker playing in a team competing on multiple fronts every season, cannot be underestimated. Manchester City’s participation in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup means Haaland could play 50-60 games per season, increasing injury risk.

Transfer speculation also lurks as a potential complication. While Haaland appears happy at Manchester City and the club seems determined to keep him, football’s landscape can shift quickly. Major European clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona have historically attracted the world’s best players, and a future transfer cannot be ruled out entirely. However, his contract until 2034 provides Manchester City significant leverage in any transfer negotiations.

Form fluctuations present another consideration. While Haaland has shown remarkable consistency, even the greatest strikers experience periods of reduced productivity. Tactical evolution—both within Manchester City and across the Premier League—could make goals harder to come by. Defenders and opposing managers continue studying Haaland’s game, seeking weaknesses to exploit. His ability to adapt and evolve will be crucial to maintaining his extraordinary standards.

Despite these caveats, the overwhelming likelihood is that Haaland will become the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer. His youth, contract situation, consistent environment at one of the world’s best clubs, and service from world-class creators like Kevin De Bruyne all favor continued success. If he reaches Shearer’s record in 2031 as projected, he could potentially extend it to 300 or even 350 goals by his mid-thirties, setting a benchmark that might truly prove unbreakable.

Haaland’s Impact on Manchester City

Beyond the individual accolades and record-breaking achievements, Erling Haaland’s impact on Manchester City has been transformative in ways that statistics alone cannot fully capture. Pep Guardiola’s team had won Premier League titles before Haaland’s arrival, but his presence has added a dimension that even the Catalan tactical genius struggled to consistently provide: a genuine penalty box predator who converts chances with ruthless efficiency.

Prior to Haaland, Manchester City often operated without a traditional center forward, utilizing a fluid system where midfielders and wingers rotated through central attacking positions. This approach, dubbed “false nine,” worked brilliantly at times but occasionally left City vulnerable to defensive teams who could pack their penalty area and survive waves of possession without conceding. The absence of a clinical finisher cost them in some crucial matches, particularly in the Champions League.

Haaland’s arrival solved this problem emphatically. His presence gives City a focal point in attack, a player who opponents must account for with dedicated defensive attention. This ironically creates more space for City’s other attackers—Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, and others—to operate in advanced positions. The Norwegian’s movement drags defenders out of position even when he doesn’t touch the ball, making the entire team more effective.

The statistics support this transformative impact. In Haaland’s debut season, Manchester City won the Treble, capturing the Premier League title, FA Cup, and their long-awaited first Champions League trophy. His 12 Champions League goals proved crucial in European glory, with crucial strikes in knockout rounds demonstrating his ability to perform on the biggest stages. The following two seasons brought two more Premier League titles, making City the first men’s team to win four consecutive English top-flight championships.

Pep Guardiola has frequently praised Haaland’s professionalism and hunger for goals. Despite his youth and rapid success, the Norwegian has shown no signs of complacency or satisfaction, continuing to work on his game and maintain the standards that made him special. Guardiola has even dubbed him “undroppable,” a remarkable statement from a manager famous for rotating his squad and benching even star players when tactical considerations demand it.

The partnership between Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne deserves special mention. The Belgian playmaker has assisted the Norwegian 20 times since his arrival—the most fruitful partnership in the Premier League during this period. De Bruyne’s vision, passing range, and delivery from wide positions or through balls perfectly complement Haaland’s movement and finishing. Their understanding has produced some of the Premier League’s most memorable goals.

Haaland has also provided Manchester City with crucial depth in their trophy pursuits. His ability to score in multiple competitions means City can compete on all fronts without compromising. In the 2024-25 season across all competitions, he scored 33 goals in just 24 games—an average that exceeds even his Premier League rate. This versatility and consistency across tournaments makes him invaluable to City’s continued dominance.

International Excellence: Norway’s Record Breaker

While Erling Haaland’s Premier League exploits have dominated headlines, his performances for Norway have been equally remarkable and record-breaking. The striker has become the fastest player to reach 50 international goals, achieving the milestone in just 46 appearances—obliterating Harry Kane’s previous record of 71 caps.

This international scoring rate is even more impressive considering Norway’s relative lack of major tournament success. Unlike players for footballing powerhouses who regularly face weaker opposition in qualifying campaigns and tournaments, Haaland must carry a significant burden for his national team. Despite his prolific scoring, Norway failed to qualify for Euro 2024 and the 2022 World Cup, meaning much of his goal tally has come in qualification matches and the UEFA Nations League rather than major tournament stages.

Recent performances for Norway have been particularly spectacular. In September 2025, Haaland scored five goals in an 11-1 demolition of Moldova in a World Cup qualifier, becoming the first European player to score five times in a World Cup qualifying match since Austria’s Hans Krankl in 1977. He followed this with a hat-trick in a 5-0 victory over Israel, meaning he scored eight goals in just two international matches.

These performances contributed to an extraordinary run of form that has seen Haaland score 21 goals in his last 12 games for Norway. His international record now stands at over 50 goals in fewer than 50 appearances, a strike rate that rivals the greatest international goalscorers in history. Only a handful of players—legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, Ali Daei, and Ferenc Puskás—have scored more international goals than Haaland’s current tally, and none did so at the rate the Norwegian is achieving.

The challenge for Haaland and Norway remains translating this individual brilliance into team success. Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in North America represents a major goal, as does securing spots in future European Championships. For a player of Haaland’s quality to spend his prime years without appearing at major international tournaments would be unfortunate, though hardly his fault given the overall quality of the Norwegian squad compared to international powerhouses.

Comparisons to Football’s All-Time Greats

Erling Haaland’s achievements inevitably invite comparisons to football’s all-time great strikers. While he still has much to achieve to match the career totals and trophy hauls of legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Robert Lewandowski, his goalscoring rate is genuinely unprecedented in top-level European football.

Cristiano Ronaldo, for context, took considerably longer to reach 100 Premier League goals. The Portuguese icon didn’t achieve the milestone until his second stint at Manchester United, having evolved from a tricky winger into a prolific goalscorer over many years. While Ronaldo’s overall career statistics are staggering—over 850 goals for club and country—his Premier League scoring rate never approached Haaland’s current pace.

Lionel Messi’s La Liga goal-scoring, while phenomenal, also didn’t match Haaland’s rate. The Argentine genius scored 474 goals in 520 La Liga appearances—an extraordinary record representing nearly a goal per game over 17 seasons. However, Haaland’s 0.93 goals per Premier League game exceeds even Messi’s remarkable consistency, though comparisons are complicated by different leagues, eras, and playing styles.

Robert Lewandowski, perhaps the most comparable striker in terms of pure goal-scoring prowess, has an excellent Bundesliga record of 312 goals in 384 appearances. His rate of approximately 0.81 goals per game over a lengthy career is outstanding, but again falls short of Haaland’s current pace. The Polish striker’s longevity and consistency have been remarkable, setting a standard Haaland must now try to maintain over many seasons.

Historical strikers like Gerd Müller (nicknamed “Der Bomber”), who scored 365 Bundesliga goals in 427 games, or Ferenc Puskás with his extraordinary scoring records in Spain, provide additional context. These legends maintained elite goal-scoring rates over entire careers, the benchmark Haaland must now pursue. His early-career achievements surpass theirs, but sustaining this level over 10-15 seasons would be required to join their pantheon.

What sets Haaland apart from these legends isn’t necessarily the overall numbers yet, but the sheer speed and efficiency of his goal accumulation. No striker in modern football history—arguably in football history period—has scored goals as quickly and consistently as Haaland is currently managing. If he can maintain even 70-80% of his current rate as he ages, he will retire as one of the greatest goalscorers ever.

The Man City Machine: Perfect Symbiosis

Erling Haaland’s individual brilliance cannot be separated from the system and supporting cast at Manchester City. While the Norwegian deserves immense credit for his record-breaking achievements, he benefits from playing in one of the most dominant teams in world football, supported by world-class creators and operating within Pep Guardiola’s sophisticated tactical framework.

Kevin De Bruyne’s role as Haaland’s primary supplier has already been mentioned, but the partnership extends beyond simple assist statistics. The Belgian’s ability to deliver perfect crosses, whether from wide positions or central areas, gives Haaland numerous high-quality chances per game. De Bruyne’s vision to spot Haaland’s runs, combined with his technical ability to execute difficult passes, creates a goal-scoring partnership for the ages.

Other Manchester City players have also formed productive relationships with Haaland. Phil Foden’s creativity, Bernardo Silva’s technical quality, Jack Grealish’s ability to draw defenders and create space, and the wing play of players like Jeremy Doku (who assisted Haaland’s 100th goal) all contribute to a system designed to create chances. The team’s possession-based approach means City often dominate matches, camping in opponents’ halves and creating multiple opportunities per game.

Pep Guardiola’s tactical setup maximizes Haaland’s strengths while minimizing his weaknesses. The team’s ability to win the ball high up the pitch means Haaland rarely needs to defend deep or engage in prolonged chasing. When City regain possession, they’re often already in advanced positions, allowing quick transitions that catch opponents disorganized—perfect for a striker of Haaland’s pace and finishing ability.

The defensive solidity provided by players like Rúben Dias, John Stones, and goalkeeper Ederson ensures City often enter matches with leads or tied scores, eliminating the need for desperate late goals and allowing Haaland to hunt chances rather than defend deep positions. This complete team structure—elite in every department—creates ideal conditions for a striker to thrive.

Critics occasionally argue that any top striker would score prolifically in this Manchester City team, pointing to the services and chances created. While there’s some truth to this—a great team certainly helps any striker—it overlooks Haaland’s unique qualities. His movement creates many of his own chances, his physical attributes allow him to excel in situations where others might struggle, and his clinical finishing ensures he converts opportunities at elite rates. Even in this excellent team, his achievements are exceptional.

The Future Beckons

At just 25 years old, Erling Haaland has already achieved more in the Premier League than most players manage in entire careers. With 100 goals in 111 games, two Golden Boots, Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and a Champions League trophy, his CV already sparkles. Yet the most remarkable aspect of his story is how much still lies ahead.

The immediate future promises more records. Haaland is on pace to score 40 Premier League goals this season, which would break his own single-season record of 36. He leads the current Golden Boot race and appears destined for a third top scorer award in four seasons. If he maintains his fitness and form, a fourth Golden Boot seems almost inevitable, which would match Thierry Henry and Mohamed Salah’s joint record of four each.

Beyond individual accolades, team success remains the ultimate goal. Manchester City will be favorites for the Premier League title, FA Cup, and League Cup as long as Haaland continues firing. Champions League glory—already achieved once—remains an annual objective, with City among the favorites each season. The possibility of multiple Champions League titles could cement his legacy as one of Europe’s greatest ever strikers.

The Norway national team represents Haaland’s great unfulfilled ambition. Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and subsequent European Championships would allow him to showcase his talents on the biggest stages. While team success depends on factors beyond his control, his continued excellence gives Norway their best chance of reaching major tournaments in years.

Long-term, the Alan Shearer record looms large. Surpassing 260 Premier League goals would make Haaland’s name immortal in English football history. Given his age, contract, and current pace, this achievement appears more likely than not. Should he reach 300 or even 350 goals, he might set a record that stands forever.

Erling Haaland’s journey to 100 Premier League goals in just 111 games represents one of the most remarkable achievements in football history. The Norwegian striker has redefined what’s possible in terms of goal-scoring efficiency, shattering records that stood for decades and setting new standards that future generations will struggle to match. As he continues his career at Manchester City, one thing seems certain: this is just the beginning of a legacy that could see him remembered as the greatest goal-scorer the Premier League has ever seen.

Read More: Real Madrid Target Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown as Left-Back Solution for Summer 2026

FAQs