Manchester City’s Erling Haaland scores his 50th goal of the season to break a 92-year-old record

Erling Haaland has scored his 50th goal of the season after striking from the penalty spot in Manchester City’s visit to Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon.

The Norwegian is the first player in the English top-flight to score 50+ goals in a single season since 1931, breaking a 92-year record in the process.

His strike into the bottom corner also takes him level with Alan Shearer’s record for most goals in a single Premier League season, with the former England star bagging 34 goals for Blackburn Rovers in 1995.

That record is jointly shared by former Manchester United forward Andy Cole who enjoyed a stunning goalscoring season playing for Newcastle two years previous to Shearer.

Haaland put City in front with a cool finish from the penalty spot against Fulham after his strike partner Julian Alvarez was hauled down in the box. 

The Man City striker (left) celebrated scoring from the penalty spot at Craven Cottage

Haaland (number nine) celebrates with his team-mates after scoring at Craven Cottage

He has confidently taken over penalty duties at City and blasted his effort past a helpless Bernd Leno who was sent the wrong way. 

Haaland has been an unstoppable force during his debut season in the Premier League and across Europe since making his switch from Borussia Dortmund in the summer.

The 22-year-old has bagged four hattricks in the league, along with another in the FA Cup and a five-goal outing against RB Leipzig in the Champions League.

He is also Europe’s best goalscorer across the top five leagues, outperforming Victor Osimhen at Napoli, Kylian Mbappe at PSG, and Harry Kane at Spurs.

Haaland has been a crucial asset in helping Man City chase down a third consecutive top-flight title, with Pep Guardiola’s side also attempting to win a historic treble this season.

The one achievement that looks out of reach as things stand is the all-time record for most goals in a single season in English football previously set at 60 by Dixie Dean in 1928.

Haaland (left) has matched the most goals scored in a single Premier League season previously set by Alan Shearer (right) 

Haaland has showed no signs of slowing down in recent games, having now scored six goals across City’s last four Premier League games, while also assisting twice in the club’s 4-1 win over Arsenal on Wednesday.

Guardiola has enjoyed tremendous success at City and with Europe’s most potent dangerman at his disposal has found renewed ways to win. 

Haaland will be hoping to continue his outstanding form when City attempt to navigate their way to a second-ever Champions League fina.

They travel to take current holders Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday May 9, the same stadium where they were knocked out of the Champions League last season.