Gary Lineker. Piers Morgan and Alan Shearer lead the Twitter praise for ‘unstoppable’ Erling Haaland

Gary Lineker and Piers Morgan lead the praise for ‘unstoppable’ Erling Haaland… as Alan Shearer jokes Man City star only has ‘258 to go’ to pass him as the Premier League’s all-time top scorer following brace on debut

  • Erling Haaland started Premier League life with both goals in Man City’s win 
  • Gary Lineker and Piers Morgan among the big names hailing Norwegian’s arrival  
  • Haaland’s brace led PL all-time top scorer Alan Shearer to joke ‘258 to go’

Erling Haaland’s Premier League debut has been hailed by pundits and famous fans on Twitter after he nabbed both goals in Manchester City’s 2-0 win at West Ham –

The Norwegian scored in each half, including a 35th minute penalty, to help the Citizens begin their defence of the title in the right fashion. 

And the 22-year-old’s arrival on the English stage has already won plaudits from some of the most famous names in football. 

Premier League debutant Erling Haaland struck twice as Manchester City downed West Ham

‘He’s unstoppable’, Match of the Day host Gary Lineker wrote on the social media platform. ‘A proper striker whose goal scoring numbers will be huge. A truly prodigious talent.’

World-weary Arsenal fan Piers Morgan added: ‘Haaland is incredible’, alongside a fire emoji.  

Former Manchester City and West Ham player Pablo Zabaleta wrote: ‘What a PL debut for @ErlingHaaland’. 

Haaland's debut performance in a competitive City match has won plaudits from online figures

Haaland’s debut performance in a competitive City match has won plaudits from online figures

Meanwhile former professional footballer Alan Shearer – who proudly notes his 260 Premier League goals in his Twitter bio – tagged Haaland and said ‘258 to go’.

Shearer’s monstrous tally is the all-time record for goals in the Premier League era, and the Norwegian would have to keep up this strike rate for 129 more games – more than three seasons – to match the former Blackburn and Newcastle great. 

And Michael Owen, 10th on the list of all time Premier League goal scorers with 150 placements on various scoresheets, said: ‘This guy is an absolute goal scoring machine. If this is the sign of things to come, every defence in the Premier League needs to be worried.’

Two of the most prolific goalscorers in Premier League history have recognised star Haaland

Two of the most prolific goalscorers in Premier League history have recognised star Haaland

Other Twitter users have voiced their positive opinions on Haaland’s star power, even if it broke their hearts during the 90 minutes. 

One West Ham fan said: ‘Scary how good Haaland is. His movement is unreal. Gonna score buckets with ease in this team.’

Someone else tipped the talented Norwegian to be a record breaker this season. ‘Haaland is an absolute monster if he stays fit he breaks the premier league goalscoring record in a single season no doubt,’ they stated. 

That record stands at 34 goals, shared by Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole, but those were both in seasons with more Premier League games. The benchmark for the most goals in a 38-game season is the 32 goals Mo Salah scored in the 2017-18 campaign. 

However, Haaland’s potential to be a record breaker is not in doubt, especially based on his opening performance, with another fan saying: ‘If Haaland stays in the Prem long enough, he will break all types of records.’

It remains to be seen if the Norwegian can turn this promising start into a lengthy streak, but he will be hoping to keep it up in his competitive home debut next Saturday against Bournemouth.  

Haaland's next Premier League game will see him make his home debut against Bournemouth

Haaland’s next Premier League game will see him make his home debut against Bournemouth

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