Erling Haaland joins the 100 club… in just 111 games! Man City superstar sets incredible record as he topples Alan Shearer as fastest player to a century of Premier League goals

Erling Haaland became the fastest player ever to score 100 Premier League goals as he struck the opening goal in Manchester City's epic 5-4 win at Fulham on Tuesday. The Norwegian hitman reached a century of goals in 111 games, smashing Alan Shearer's previous record of 100 strikes in 124 matches.

Haaland brings up PL century versus Fulham

Haaland went into the match failing to score in successive games for the first time this season following blanks at Newcastle and against Leeds, having also not struck as a substitute in the Champions League against Bayer Leverkusen. But, after hitting the post with a clear opening early in the game, he ended his mini-drought by finding the net in the 17th minute at Craven Cottage to write yet another page in the Premier League history books.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportHaaland the 35th player to score 100 PL goals

Haaland lashed in a cut-back from Jeremy Doku with his favoured left foot to break the deadlock against Fulham, scoring for the seventh time in seven games against the Cottagers. He is only the 35th player to reach 100 Premier League goals. And given that he is only 25 and has a contract with City until 2034, he is well placed to join Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane and Alan Shearer as the only players to have scored 200 or more Premier League goals. 

'Nice to join 100 club'

It was an unforgettable night for Haaland and City, and not just because of the 100th goal. City marched into a 5-1 lead early in the second half thanks to two goals from Phil Foden, one from Tijjani Reijnders and an own goal by Sander Berge but then conceded three times to set up an enthralling finish. They eventually clung on to take all three points.

"It's huge and I'm really proud. It's a massive thing, the 100 club is a nice thing to be in and I'm happy," Haaland told . "I knew about it, that's what I tried to do. I try to help the team scoring goals, that's my job. Every game is a different game, you can't think of the game that's been, you need to focus on what's ahead. 

"The reality is we lost against Newcastle and Leverkusen but now we have two in a row and we have to keep going. 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."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyShearer believes Haaland will break all-time PL record

Haaland wrote Premier League history by scoring 36 goals in his very first season with City, beating Alan Shearer and Andy Cole's tally of 34 strikes in a single campaign which had stood for 28 years.

And the former Newcastle and Blackburn Rovers striker, who celebrated when second-top scorer Kane left for Bayern Munich in 2023 as it meant his record was safe, is resigned to the fact that the Norwegian will eventually usurp him as the league's record marksman.

"Yes, Haaland is the perfect centre-forward. His record is phenomenal, appetite to score is fantastic. I love it," Shearer, who scored 260 Premier League goals, told "He’s quick, strong, agile, he reacts quicker than most around the six-yard box which is impressive and his ability to put the ball in the back of the net is magnificent.  

"Haaland could definitely break my Premier League goal record. There’s no doubt that if he does another seven or eight years, maybe even less then he’ll have a brilliant chance of breaking it. But there’s so many ifs and different things that could happen to that."

Asked about toppling Shearer's all-time record, Haaland said: "I know about it but I don't think too much about it."

Meet the spinner known as Manishi

The 21-year-old left-arm spinner has made a steady start but he’s aiming for a big performance in the upcoming domestic season

Ashish Pant28-Aug-2025Day one of the 2025-26 Duleep Trophy. A green top underfoot. Cloudy skies overhead. Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar in the starting XI.When East Zone captain Riyan Parag won the toss and bowled first against North Zone, he would have expected his pace spearheads to cause early damage. Instead, it was a little known left-arm spinner from Jharkhand, Manishi, who cut through the top order to give his team the upper hand at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence on the outskirts of Bengaluru.By the time Manishi came on to bowl the 15th over, the North Zone openers Ankit Kumar and Shubham Khajuria, had put on 49 runs in 84 balls. But that solid start was about to unravel.Related

Arshdeep fine-tunes red-ball skills by learning to enjoy the 'boring times'

'Cricket's just a game' – How Tanmay Agarwal's new mindset is fuelling his run spree

Mohammed Shami revs it up on red-ball return

Manishi’s first ball was loopy and full from around the wicket. Ankit tried to sweep but did not account for the drift into him and was lbw. A few overs later, Khajuria went back to a skiddy length ball, played all around it and was lbw too. And after a 67-run stand between Yash Dhull and Ayush Badoni, Manishi came back and dismissed Dhull minutes before lunch, beating him in the flight to pick up a third lbw.From 49 for 0, North Zone slipped to 133 for 3, and a 21-year-old left-arm spinner had played the lead role when that never was the plan.”Initially, our thinking was that it is a green wicket, so I was asked to be more of a supportive bowler, you know, when the fast bowler needs rest, I can come and bowl four to five overs,” Manishi told ESPNcricinfo after play on day one. “But when I got the wicket on the very first ball, I could attack a little more.”I noticed that my quicker deliveries were coming on to the bat nicely. I was just trying to vary my pace so that the batter’s footwork does not remain the same. Yash Dhull hit me for a couple of sixes as well, but ensured I did not deviate from my lengths, and I got my wickets.”Manishi is playing only his ninth first-class game. He comes from a middle-class family and grew up in Jamshedpur, in Jharkhand, where he attended various coaching academies and was initially a batter. Watching videos of Daniel Vettori, Rangana Herath and Ravindra Jadeja, however, got him interested in the art of left-arm spin. His action is classical, in the mould of Herath, whom he greatly admires. Manishi eases through his delivery stride and relies on drift and variation in pace, rather than mystery.Manishi picked up three wickets on the first day•PTI It was this drift that earned Manishi his first big moment, when Jharkhand was playing Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy, in November 2024. A bat-pad catch at forward short leg. The wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara in his fifth first-class game.”It’s an interesting story,” Manishi said. “I saw two of Pujara’s previous matches and noticed he was out jabbing to short leg each time. The wicket [in Ranchi] was similar to this here [in Bengaluru]. As soon as Pujara walked out, I asked Sharandeep Singh [my Jharkhand team-mate] to be ready at short leg.”The first ball I bowled to Pujara was a bat-pad that went over Sharandeep’s head. Pujara then hit me through the covers. But then I went slightly wide on the angle and got the inside-edge with the catch landing in short leg’s hands.”Manishi was 20 when he made his first-class debut, but with senior pro Shahbaz Nadeem and Anukul Roy in the Jharkhand side, it took him close to two years to play his second game. He had also come close to making it to the 2020 Under-19 World Cup but failed to make the cut.After Nadeem retired, Manishi got his chance and was Jharkhand’s second highest wicket-taker in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy – 22 wickets in 11 innings at an average of 27.22. It earned him a place in the East Zone team for the Duleep Trophy, but he’s set higher standards for himself.Cheteshwar Pujara with Manishi during a Ranji Trophy game in November 2024•ESPNcricinfo”If you want to play just Ranji Trophy, then it’s a good season, but if you want to play for India, then it’s just an okay season,” he said. “You see Harsh Dubey, he got 70 [69] wickets in the last season. He got into the limelight because of that, got an IPL contract, played for India A, got into the scene.”My next target is a solid Ranji season where I can get close to 40-50 wickets. That is what will add to my portfolio. My other aim is also to contribute with the bat. I scored a few runs last season, but I want to improve on that this time, score 250 runs in the season.”Manishi finished his first day in the Duleep Trophy with figures of 3 for 90 in 19 overs, as North Zone ended on 308 for 6. He’s not going to chase a maiden five-for in first-class cricket though.”I will just try and be accurate and if someone misses, I have the chance to get two or three wickets. And if seven or eight wickets are down, I might even get a chance to bowl at Arshdeep [Singh] or Harshit Rana. Let’s see.”

Samson or Jitesh? No answers yet as India begin their Asia Cup training

Bumrah and Hardik went full-tilt at the nets, while Suryakumar eased himself back into post-surgery rhythm

Shashank Kishore05-Sep-202513:47

Runorder: What is India’s best XI for the Asia Cup?

“Stiff legs,” Shubman Gill teased, as Jasprit Bumrah darted around the ICC Academy Oval in Dubai – sprinting, diving and cutting off angles, much to the delight of fielding coach T Dilip. Bumrah jokingly waved Gill away as he continued his drills.Watching and clapping from afar was Sanju Samson, meditatively cross-legged after 30 minutes of batting in shirt-soaking humidity. It was well past 7pm, but the temperature was still hovering around 38 degrees Celsius.Samson was one of many India batters who had multiple stints at the nets. And much to the curiosity of those gathered, his stints came alongside those of Jitesh Sharma, with whom he will likely compete for a spot during India’s playing XI in the Asia Cup 2025. Jitesh, for what it’s worth, also got through a proper keeping workout – catches, drills, footwork – while Samson watched on.Related

  • Start time pushed back by half an hour due to UAE heat

  • India likely to play Asia Cup without team sponsor

  • All you need to know about the men's T20 Asia Cup

Perhaps Jitesh was making up for lost time. His most recent bout of competitive cricket was in June, at the Vidarbha Pro T20, soon after a memorable IPL-winning campaign with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Maybe Samson was saving his legs after playing four games back-to-back only last week at the Kerala Cricket League. Either way, Friday’s vibe was more first day of school than selection day.Long before they got to the nets, the team got through warm-up stretches, shuttle runs, high knees and soft throws, with trainer Adrian Le Roux often reminding them: “75% intensity!” (though Bumrah seemed to ignore that memo when he steamed in, full throttle, to Gill in the nets a little later).File photo: Jasprit Bumrah steamed in full throttle to Shubman Gill in the nets•Getty ImagesAfter the fitness drills, all the batters (and Varun Chakravarthy) spent extensive time – upwards of 30 minutes – alternating between nets. A ball after being smashed through the covers off a half-volley, Bumrah bowled the perfect nip-backer to beat Gill. The cat-and-mouse game between the two was just getting started.Gill batted alongside Suryakumar Yadav, who was searching for his rhythm following a spell away recuperating from sports hernia surgery, and Jitesh. Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma had come out before them, armed with several bats, each seemingly meatier than the other, and went hammer and tongs.Alongside Bumrah, there was Hardik Pandya, – hair coloured blonde – who bowled 20 minutes non-stop at high pace. Also noticeable from afar was the attention India gave to Shivam Dube and Abhishek, the bowlers.While Abhishek bowled a mixture of traditional left-arm spin, wrist spin and his backspinner, bowling coach Morne Morkel kept a close eye on Dube’s action and delivery stride.

Except for Bumrah and Hardik, both of whom went full-tilt, India rotated the other fast bowlers. Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana were coming off a Duleep Trophy fixture in Bengaluru last week, and spent more time doing fitness and mobility drills than bowling.Away from the nets, it was a gruelling workout even for those behind the scenes. The local liaison manager had already made multiple trips ferrying water, fruits, and ice-bath supplies. Each time, he had to take a long detour because Hong Kong and Oman were playing on the main ground.Unlike during the Champions Trophy, when a few hundred fans were believed to have crammed themselves into a small area meant for 40 to watch the team train, barricades were up again, but this time there were barely a handful around when the Indians trained from 5pm to shortly before 9pm. All that prep for nothing.And just like that, the first day was done. Not too intense, not too revealing, but enough to shake off the rust, and build some momentum before next week’s opening fixture against UAE.

Slot's own Gerrard: Liverpool enter talks to sign £100m "genius"

Liverpool splashed the big bucks and then some over the summer, hopeful of retaining their Premier League title in style.

However, the majority of the whopping £415m spent now looks as if it has gone down the drain, with both Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak remaining goalless, despite costing a combined £225m to bring to Anfield.

Arne Slot thankfully has the January transfer window coming into view now to try and turn around his side’s lacklustre campaign, with Liverpool all the way down in eighth position at the moment, as Manchester United are even ahead of the Reds on goal difference.

Liverpool planning to spend big again

You would think that the Merseyside giants might be more cautious in the transfer department after such a wild summer spending spree.

However, reports suggest that the underwhelming reigning champions could go all out to try and win Michael Olise from Bayern Munich for an astronomical £177m fee.

Moreover, one of the best players in the top-flight this term in the shape of Antoine Semenyo is reportedly also on their radar as they try to upgrade on an attack that looks short on confidence, even with Mohamed Salah starting week in, week out.

On top of flashy recruits being rumoured to join the Anfield ranks in attack, an update from Liverpool-based writer DaveOCKOP has also revealed that the Reds are holding initial talks with Crystal Palace over midfield star Adam Wharton.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

It is stated that the move is more likely for the summer of 2026 than the upcoming January window, but never say never when it comes to Liverpool’s ambition in this department, with it also being revealed back in September that the English international’s preference – if he were to leave the Eagles behind – was a switch to Slot and Co.

Having just made his first start for the Three Lions during this international break, the sky really does appear to be the limit for Wharton currently, with a mammoth £100m price tag also above his head.

How Wharton can become Slot's own Gerrard

As Slot looks to reshape his midfield in 2026, he could find a new beating heart at the centre of his team in the form of Wharton, much like a certain Steven Gerrard was back in the day.

By the close of his distinguished career at the very top, Gerrard was showered with some immense praise, with Gabriel Agbonlahor notably once describing him as the best midfielder in Premier League history, even ahead of Kevin De Bruyne.

Indeed, away from bagging a stunning 186 goals and picking up 155 assists for his boyhood club, the well-rounded servant also closed out his long-standing career on Merseyside with a Champions League title.

As Liverpool’s website affectionately put it when Gerrard hung up his boots, the Englishman was a revered “gladiator” for his boyhood side.

Of course, it would be crazy to expect Wharton to be as impactful from minute one of his own Anfield journey, but in time, he could be Gerrard 2.0, displaying a similar level of composure and ball manipulation from midfield.

Games played

16

20

9

Goals scored

0

0

0

Assists

3

2

0

Touches*

49.6

45.7

43.9

Accurate passes*

28.5 (81%)

26.7 (79%)

25.2 (78%)

Key passes*

1.3

1.3

1.6

Big chances created

5

5

5

Tackles*

3.0

1.7

1.3

Ball recoveries*

4.8

5.1

4.0

Total duels won*

4.9

3.2

3.2

The data above displays Wharton’s similar well-roundedness from the middle of the park, which is very much like the Liverpool great, with the 21-year-old only getting better with time, as he becomes more and more used to the demands of the Premier League.

Unfortunately, he hasn’t quite uncovered a goalscoring mojo in the top-flight yet, like Gerrard, but with the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai next to him if he takes on this huge Anfield opportunity, there is a possibility that he enhances his varied game to that next level.

Hailed as a “genius” at a very early age at Blackburn Rovers by ex-boss Tony Mowbray, and now an “incredible” star by former Selhurst Park teammate Eberechi Eze, it does feel as if a big move soon awaits Wharton.

If all clicks into place for the 21-year-old at Liverpool, he might well be the second coming of Gerrard; a powerful English midfield technician who has all of the tools to be a Three Lions mainstay for years to come.

It will take some big bucks to land his services, but if Slot can win a new legend in the process, it’s a bold investment that’s definitely worth making.

New Trent: Liverpool star is "one of the most underrated players in England"

Slot could find a shrewd solution to Liverpool’s problems in this talent.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 17, 2025

Four Potential Dylan Cease Trade Destinations Before MLB Deadline

Dylan Cease could be on the move before the 2025 MLB trade deadline.

That shocking news hit on Wednesday, as ESPN's Buster Olney reported the San Diego Padres might try to get creative as they attempt to compete down the stretch. The Padres have a number of pressing needs as the deadline approaches, with left field and catcher at the top of the list. Given their financial situation, moving some salary while making additions makes a lot of sense.

Cease has ace-level stuff, but has struggled this season. After finishing fourth in NL Cy Young voting in 2024, he has been a different pitcher in 2025. Through 21 starts, the 29-year-old is 3-10 with a 4.59 ERA, a 1.30 WHIP and 144 strikeouts against 42 walks in 113 2/3 innings. The one thing to note here is that Cease's xFIP is 3.30, meaning he's gotten pretty unlucky this year.

The Padres are set to lose Cease at the end of the season as he'll hit free agency. They could, instead, leverage his value given the lack of available starting pitching at this year's deadline and hope a team will bank on Cease's bad luck turning around, or their staff making minor tweaks. San Diego could then use assets acquired to help improve their roster for the stretch run.

What follows is a look at the best fits for Cease as we approach the trade deadline.

Chicago Cubs

Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd have been excellent for the Cubs this season, but there remains a Justin Steele-sized hole in the rotation. As a group, the team's starters rank 13th leaguewide in ERA (3.93) and have allowed the third-most home runs (87). Chicago needs to add juice to the starting rotation, and the organization knows Cease intimately. The Cubs selected him in the sixth round of the 2014 MLB draft and Cease wound up being a top prospect before the club dealt him to the Chicago White Sox as part of the ill-fated Jose Quintana trade.

This would be a chance for the Cubs to land Cease back on the North Side to help the team's starting pitching depth as they make a push for an NL Central crown.

New York Yankees

The Yankees' focus is sure to be finding a third baseman, but the pitching also needs help. Max Fried and Carlos Rodon have carried the starting rotation this season with Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt out after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Luis Gil is close to a return, but the rest of the team's starters have been shaky at best and awful at worst. As a group, New York's starters rank seventh in ERA (3.74) but they don't have the rotation depth to win a World Series.

Cease has the kind of elite stuff that can show up in October. While he struggled in the 2024 postseason, his average fastball velocity (97.1 mph) ranks fifth in MLB among starting pitchers and his slider was one of the best pitches in baseball in 2024. A few tweaks could have him dominating hitters again.

New York Mets

The Mets have a really good rotation, led by Kadai Sengal and David Peterson with Sean Manaea healthy again to back them up. But they also have a ticking time bomb on their hands. Converted reliever Clay Holmes has already thrown 108 2/3 innings, which is 38 2/3 more than his previous career high of 70. He has been really good this season, posting an 8-5 record with a 3.48 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. But so far in July he has an ERA of 5.66, and has surrendered 13 earned runs on 21 hits in 20 2/3 innings. He could be hitting a wall.

If Holmes continues to struggle, New York needs to find another option for the stretch run. Frankie Montas is back, but he has a 4.62 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP this season through five starts. His last two starts have been better but he's risky. Adding another starter feels like a must for the Mets.

Toronto Blue Jays

Like the Mets, the Blue Jays look solid on the surface, with Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt and Kevin Gausman leading the rotation. But if you look under the hood, the team's starters rank 24th in ERA (4.53). Max Scherzer (5.14 ERA) was sidelined for months thanks to a thumb injury and has yet to look ready for primetime, and Eric Lauer (2.80 ERA) is a low-ceiling lefty who has had some success this season but his 3.82 xFIP says he's getting incredibly lucky.

Cease would be a high-ceiling arm that could add the depth to the rotation Toronto has struggled to find a year.

Game
Register
Service
Bonus