Erling Haaland made another significant mark in Premier League history after scoring against Brighton in Manchester City’s 2-2 draw on Saturday. The penalty that Haaland converted helped him reach 100 Premier League goal contributions (goals and assists combined) in just 94 matches, breaking a record previously held by Alan Shearer, who had achieved the same feat in 100 games. This latest achievement further solidifies Haaland’s standing as one of the most prolific players in the Premier League.
Haaland’s consistency has been remarkable, as he reached this milestone in only his third season in the Premier League. The only other player to do so is Alan Shearer, although it is important to note that Shearer had played a few seasons in the old First Division, which did not count toward this particular record. Haaland’s journey to 100 goal involvements has been exceptionally quick, and this feat underscores his position as one of the league’s most lethal strikers.
Haaland’s first 100 Premier League goal contributions consist of 84 goals and 16 assists. In terms of his assist count, Haaland falls behind other legendary figures such as Eric Cantona and Matt Le Tissier, who had 42 and 38 assists, respectively, before reaching their 100th goal involvement. Haaland’s 16 assists place him in a unique position, with only Tottenham’s Harry Kane having fewer assists at this stage (13).
Since joining Manchester City in June 2022 from Borussia Dortmund, Haaland has enjoyed immense success, winning the Premier League Golden Boot in each of his first two seasons. His performances have made a lasting impact, but this season, he has faced stiff competition from Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, who has 17 assists and 27 goals in 30 games. Haaland, with 20 goals and three assists in 27 appearances, trails Salah by seven goals as the season progresses.
Despite the slight dip in his goal-scoring rate this season, Haaland continues to contribute heavily for Manchester City. His current ratio of a goal or assist every 103 minutes represents a slight drop from his previous seasons, where he registered a goal or assist every 63 minutes in his first season and every 80 minutes in his second campaign. This shift can be attributed to several factors, including increased tactical focus on him by opposing defenses and the evolving nature of City’s attacking play under Pep Guardiola.
Haaland’s best performances in the Premier League have come against certain teams. His record against Manchester United stands out with six goals and three assists in just five matches. Similarly, he has an impressive record against West Ham, scoring nine goals in six games without any assists. His dominance extends to teams like Wolves, Crystal Palace, Fulham, and Brighton, where Haaland averages more than one goal or assist per game.
As Haaland continues his quest for more records, the next significant milestone on the horizon is his 100th Premier League goal. Alan Shearer holds the record for the quickest player to reach this milestone, scoring his 100th goal for Blackburn in just 124 appearances. Haaland, with 30 games remaining in the season, needs just 16 goals to match that achievement. Given his prolific scoring rate, it seems only a matter of time before Haaland breaks another record and cements his legacy as one of the Premier League’s greatest goal-scorers.
