The Japan Times - Man City's Haaland makes 'huge' Premier League history with 100th goal

Haaland's clinical finish in the first half at Craven Cottage took him to his century in just 111 league appearances for City.

The 25-year-old broke the previous record set by former Newcastle and Blackburn star Alan Shearer, who took 124 matches to reach 100 goals.

"It's huge and I'm really proud. Of course it's a massive thing, 100 club is a nice thing to be in and I'm happy," Haaland said.

"I knew about the record, that's what I tried to do. I try to help the team scoring goals, that's my job."

Haaland, who signed from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, had failed to score in his previous three games against Newcastle, Bayer Leverkusen and Leeds.

He broke that mini-drought with the latest milestone in his glittering City career.

Of Haaland's 100 goals, 71 came with his left foot and 17 with his head.

"When you're a striker for Man City you should be delivering great numbers," he said.

"That's my job, people should criticise me if I don't and that's normally what they do. I should deliver."

He produced a sumptuous finish to put City ahead in the 17th minute against Fulham, giving him 15 league goals this term and 20 in all competitions.

Jeremy Doku provided the assist with a precise cut-back and Haaland timed his run perfectly to unleash a ferocious blast that whistled past Fulham keeper Bernd Leno from 12 yards.

"I think if you're sitting at home now you enjoyed that game. It was a crazy game, nine goals is a lot. In the end, we win and we're happy but it's not the best win," Haaland said.

With City now only two points behind leaders Arsenal, Haaland added: "It's important, Arsenal came here and won here. Fulham are a great team but we shouldn't think too much about Arsenal.

"We should focus on ourselves, today wasn't good enough and we know this. We need to improve as a team and that's what we'll do."

Haaland still has a long way to go to break Shearer's most significant record, with the former England captain holding the Premier League's all-time scoring mark on 260 goals.

"I know about it but I don't think too much about it," he said.

S.Yamamoto--JT