… Erling Haaland broke the Premier League single-season scoring record as Manchester City moved back to the top of the table with a 3-0 win over West Ham. Nathan Ake’s opener and Phil Foden’s deflected strike helped Man City to the win.
Man City’s Erling Haaland has now scored 35 Premier League goals this season, the most by a player in a single campaign in the competition, and the most by a player in the English top-flight since Ron Davies in 1966-67 (37); By this, Erling Haaland became the first man to score 35 goals in a Premier League season.
David Moyes’ side had made it difficult for the reigning champions at the Etihad Stadium. It was goalless at half-time. But Nathan Ake headed City in front early in the second before Haaland had his moment, chipping Lukasz Fabianski for his 35th of the season, Sky Sports reports.
The goal moved him clear of Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole as the first man to hit that mark in the Premier League era – with five games to spare too. Substitute Phil Foden made the win even more emphatic when his deflected strike made it three late in the game.
Arsenal’s victory over Chelsea on the previous evening had been a reminder to Pep Guardiola’s side that there was little room for complacency as they chase this Premier League title. They are hoping it will be the first part of a historic treble for the club.
This win moves them a step closer, restoring their one-point lead at the top with a game in hand. For West Ham, a third consecutive defeat means there is work still to do to guarantee their safety. There will be easier nights than this to claim the points they need.
Moyes’ side succeeded in stifling City throughout the first half. It was all so crowded, although Rodri did manage to wriggle through to hit the post after a one-two with Haaland.
The breakthrough came early in the second half. That will frustrate Moyes. Flynn Downes fouled Jack Grealish and when Riyad Mahrez curled in the free-kick it was headed in by Ake at the far post.
West Ham did push briefly, threatening the goal of Stefan Ortega, on his Premier League debut. But Haaland had his moment on the counter-attack. Fed by Grealish, his delightful dink did for Fabianski. The record was his.
There was time for Foden to volley into the net from distance – via a deflection of Emerson Palmieri. But the night belonged to Haaland, his teammates lining up for a guard of honour after the game.
When asked if the record was on his mind, during the post-match press brief, Haaland told Sky Sports: “Yes, of course I knew about it but we tried to create the chances to score goals and it was not easy. They came here just to defend for 90 minutes and we struggled a bit in the first half but it was an important win.”
On the goal, he added: “You can see what my first thought is – to run towards the goal. Me and Jack spoke before the game – he wanted to give me the assist for the record-breaking goal. I knew I was going to get the ball there and I saw the keeper coming out.
“It was a great ball by Jack. When I chipped the ball, it was a really perfect bounce. I didn’t think I was going to chip but the possibility was there.
“It was a nice feeling, like every single goal I score. Winning the game is also really important. The guard of honour really hurt – they hit me hard on the back!”
