Ahead of this weekend’s home game with West Ham, we dip into the pictorial archives for a special spotlight on Erling Haaland’s record-breaking heroics against the Hammers at the Etihad. Match Pre...
Ahead of this weekend’s home game with West Ham, we dip into the pictorial archives for a special spotlight on Erling Haaland’s record-breaking heroics against the Hammers at the Etihad.
City v West Ham: Kick-off time, team news and TV information
Erling Haaland enjoyed a special – if a little sore - Guard of Honour after his record-breaking exploits in the May 2023 victory over West Ham.
Haaland’s subtle chip which put City 2-0 up against the Hammers helped him break the record for most goals scored in a Premier League season.
The sumptuous effort put him on 35 goals, which saw him surpass the previous record set by Andrew Cole and Alan Shearer, scoring 34 in 1993/94 and 1994/95 respectively when the season comprised of 42 matches.
Haaland received an overjoyed ovation from an elated Etihad crowd and after the match, which eventually finished 3-0, the Norwegian was congratulated by teammates courtesy of a Guard of Honour.
But one where Haaland had to run the gauntlet with his playing pals slapping his back on the way back from pitchside to the tunnel.
Haaland was overjoyed on the final whistle as he recalled the momentous milestone.
“Special night. Special moment. I’m really happy and proud. What more is there to say?” he told us.
“It was a nice feeling. Everyone hit me in the back so it was painful! But it was a nice thing, I’m really happy.
“It’s a big moment for me, it’s a bit unreal.
“I have to thank my teammates and all the staff for making it possible. It was an amazing feeling.
“I’m enjoying it every single game. I love to play under Pep and I’m really happy to have him as a coach.”
The manager also hailed his star striker in his post-match press conference, insisting too that the Guard of Honour was important because it’s vital you celebrate the highs of your career.
On that post-match commendation, the boss said: “He deserved it. Erling is a special striker. Yes, we are very pleased for him. He’s a joy to work and to be with him.
“Everyone is happy to have him with us.
“When there is a special occasion, we have to show how special it is.
“He has beaten incredible top strikers - Shearer and Cole. It’s special.
“His first goals were against West Ham. He broke the record against West Ham.
“When you provide him with chances, he scores in all situations.
“Penalties. Crosses. Combinations. Transitions. He can do many, many things.”
That wasn’t the end of the story in 2022/23 of course.
Haaland ended the campaign with 36 Premier League goals and 52 across all competitions as the Blues won a remarkable Treble.
Individually, Haaland won Premier League Golden Boot, City’s first European Golden Shoe, Etihad Player of the Season, Premier League Player and Young Player of the Season, FWA Men’s Footballer of the Year as well as getting in the Champions League Team of the Season.
He scored most goals in all competitions by a player at a Premier League club with 52, enjoyed best minutes per goal ratio of any player in Premier League history with 77 mins/goal and bagged most goals and assists in a 38-game Premier League season with 44.
He was the fastest player to score 10, 20 and 25 goals in the Premier League and the quickest player to reach 25 goals under Pep Guardiola.
Haaland was the first player in Premier League history to score a hat-trick in three consecutive home games, the first player in Premier League history to score in each of his first four away games and the first City player to score on both his Premier League and Champions League debut.
He scored most hat-tricks in a single season across all competitions by a Premier League striker with six trebles, he was the first player to score hat-tricks in consecutive Premier League halves of football and the quickest player to four Premier League hat-tricks.
His 12 goals in the glorious Champions League campaign also represented the most UCL goals in 2022/23 by a single player and the most goals in a single Champions League season for City.
Not bad for your first season at City – and he’s just continued on that upward trajectory ever since, entering the Premier League 100 Club earlier this month.
What a signing. What a talent. What a player.
City v West Ham tickets
Get into the festive cheer for the nearest home fixture to Christmas as we welcome West Ham!
We face Nuno Espirito Santo’s men on Saturday 20 December with a 15:00 (UK) kick-off at the Etihad.
Tickets are on sale to Cityzens Matchday and Junior Members - it’s three tickets per Member.
All adult Cityzens Matchday general admission tickets are priced between £30 - £60 while Under-18 tickets are between £15- £30.
The Blues have won every home fixture with the Hammers since Pep Guardiola’s arrival into the City hotseat with this game always an exciting one.
Two matches of late have been especially noteworthy with Erling Haaland breaking the single-season Premier League scoring record in the May 2023 clash as he received a Guard of Honour from teammates after the game.
And then, a double from Phil Foden and a superb strike from Rodri ensured a 3-1 triumph over the Londoners in May 2024 on the final day of the season as we collected Four-in-a-Row Premier League titles.
Make sure you’re here for this latest edition!
Category: General Sports
