Haaland Goalscoring Heroics A ‘Surprise’, Says Guardiola

Erling Haaland’s exceptional goal-scoring record at Manchester City has come as a surprise to Pep Guardiola, with the 22-year-old close to breaking the Premier League’s single-season goal record.

Haaland’s 34th league goal of the season in Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Fulham drew him level with joint record holders Andy Cole and Alan Shearer.

Haaland’s strike at Craven Cottage was also his 50th goal of the season, making him the Premier League player with the most goals in all competitions since the league was rebranded in 1992.

With ten games remaining in the season, Haaland has a chance to surpass Dixie Dean’s all-time English record of 63 goals set in the 1927/28 season. However, Dean’s record of 60 top-flight strikes during that campaign is likely to remain intact.

Despite Haaland’s exceptional performance, Guardiola is confident that there is, even more, to come from the former Borussia Dortmund star. “It is a surprise for all of us – maybe not for him – to do what he’s doing in this difficult league but the way he behaves and has done it is for the success of the team,” he said.

Guardiola added that Haaland breaking records would be a positive sign for the team, saying “I’m pretty sure he is going to score more goals in the Premier League until the end of the season.”

Manchester City is currently in control of the title race after their 4-1 win over Arsenal last week, but Guardiola is not taking anything for granted ahead of their home game against West Ham on Wednesday.

He acknowledged West Ham’s quality and that anything can happen in one game, saying “We have to be absolutely ready.”