Haaland Smashes Another Record After Derby Win
In a stunning display of skill and finesse, Manchester City's striking sensation, Erling Haaland, has once again etched his name in the annals of Premier League history.
During a commanding 3-0 victory over rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford, Haaland's remarkable prowess was on full display as he contributed two crucial goals, thereby achieving a new Premier League milestone.
Haaland's outstanding performance enabled him to attain the distinction of scoring his 20th goal in just 23 away appearances in the Premier League – a feat no other player has accomplished in so few matches. This achievement surpasses the record previously held by Kevin Phillips, who required 28 matches to reach this mark while playing for Sunderland. This feat not only underscores Haaland's goal-scoring abilities but also highlights his adaptability and threat in away fixtures.
This latest accomplishment adds to Haaland's burgeoning reputation in the Manchester derbies. Recall in October 2022, when Manchester City thrashed United 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium, Haaland made history by becoming the first City player to score a hat-trick in a Premier League derby. This was a feat not achieved in the top flight since Francis Lee's performance in December 1970. Haaland's derby performances have been nothing short of sensational, having been directly involved in eight goals (through scoring or assisting) in just three Premier League encounters against Manchester United.
With his latest goals, Haaland has propelled himself to 11 goals for the season, thereby taking a significant lead in the race for the 2023/24 Castrol Golden Boot. He now stands three goals ahead of his closest rivals, Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur, making a strong case for his candidacy as one of the world's elite strikers. Later tonight he might win his first Ballon d’Or.
The Norwegian international's rapid ascent to becoming the fastest to reach 20 Premier League away goals is a testament to his remarkable scoring instincts and positional sense. Here's a comparison with other legendary players in reaching this milestone:
Erling Haaland (Man City): 23 matches
Kevin Phillips (Sunderland): 28 matches
Ian Wright (Arsenal): 31 matches
Diego Costa (Chelsea): 33 matches
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal): 33 matches
Luis Suarez (Liverpool): 34 matches
Alan Shearer (Blackburn): 36 matches
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): 36 matches
Harry Kane (Spurs): 37 matches
Erling Haaland's journey in the Premier League has been characterized by record-breaking performances and an insatiable appetite for goals. His relentless pursuit of excellence and his uncanny ability to find the back of the net consistently make him a formidable force in English football and a pivotal player in Pep Guardiola's squad. As Haaland continues to dazzle on the field, fans and analysts alike will be watching with great anticipation to see what records he will shatter next in his already illustrious career.