(Football news) Manchester City continued their fine form as they claimed top spot in the Premier League for the first time in 3 months. Erling Haaland created history as he reached yet another milestone in a 2-1 victory over Fulham on Sunday. Haaland scored a penalty in the third minute for his record 34th Premier League goal in his debut season in England.
He now needs one more goal to move above the likes of Alan Shearer and Andy Cole for the most Premier League goals in a single season. City’s defensive weakness was exposed when Carlos Vinicius rifled a shot past Ederson, but Pep’s side were quick to respond to the setback. Jack Grealish had the first big opportunity after the equalizer as he was denied by the crossbar before World Cup winner Julian Alvarez produced a powerful curling shot to beat Bernd Leno from outside the penalty area.
City weren’t at their attacking best as they were unable to give themselves a cushion after the halftime break despite creating several chances. The shaky defense suffered some anxious moments, but they subsequently held on for an eighth successive Premier League win. With 76 points, they have finally moved one point ahead of Arsenal with a match in hand and Fulham remain in 10th place.
The momentum is now with Pep Guardiola’s side and now the Premier League table finally proves it. City are top of the Premier standings for the first time since beating Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Feb. 15. This will have a massive psychological impact not only on players but also fans who can start dreaming of an unprecedented treble. The Gunners were well beaten in the reverse fixture last week and have a monumental task of stripping Man City from their 7th Premier League title.
Haaland’s goal made him the first player to reach the 50-goal mark in a single season at an English club since 1931. The half-century has one goal at the EFL Cup goal, three FA Cup goals, 12 Champions League goals, and 34 goals in the Premier League which is also the most in a 38-game season. Haaland is now tied with Andy Cole (1993-94) and Alan Shearer (1994-95) for the most goals in a single Premier League season and it is just a matter of time before he becomes the out-and-out highest scorer in the league.
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