Haaland officially makes Premier League history

Erling Haaland’s goal against Brighton marked the Premier League’s 35,000th goal ever, but Man City still couldn’t fully celebrate as they dropped points again.

Erling Haaland further cemented his special status in the Premier League by scoring the 35,000th goal in the competition’s history. This memorable milestone occurred in the 21st round, during the home match against Brighton at the Etihad Stadium, where Man City desperately needed a win to improve their recent inconsistent form.

In the 41st minute, Haaland stepped up to take a penalty and successfully converted it to give the home side the lead. This goal was significant not only for the scoreline but also because it brought the Premier League to a historic landmark exactly 4 years and 131 days after the 30,000th goal.

Previously, the 30,000th goal was scored by Chris Wood for Burnley against Leeds United in August 2021, showing that such milestones are rare and always linked to special moments.

For Haaland personally, the goal against Brighton was also highly significant. It marked the 150th goal for the Norwegian striker in all competitions wearing the Man City jersey, an extremely impressive figure considering his relatively short playing time since being born in 2000.

His consistent scoring ability and sustained peak performance keep Haaland regarded as one of the most dangerous strikers the Premier League has ever seen.

Moreover, Haaland became the first player among Europe’s top five leagues to reach 20 domestic league goals this season.

This achievement becomes even more remarkable given that Man City no longer dominate as overwhelmingly as in previous seasons, highlighting Haaland’s irreplaceable role in the team’s offensive system.

Nevertheless, Haaland’s brilliance was not enough to secure a win for Man City. In the second half, Brighton grew more confident and equalized in the 60th minute through Kaoru Mitoma.

The 1-1 draw extended Man City’s winless streak and marked the first time in Pep Guardiola’s coaching career that he has had three consecutive draws across all competitions.

Statistics also show that this is the first time since March 2025 that Man City has dropped points in two consecutive home games despite taking the lead first. This run of results makes the title race tougher for Pep Guardiola’s squad, while Haaland, despite making history, has yet to help the team overcome this worrying slump.