Pep: Ton-up Haaland's numbers are insane!

Pep Guardiola described Erling Haaland’s goal numbers as insane in the wake of the City striker becoming the fastest player to join the Premier League 100 club.

Match Report

City hold off Fulham in nine-goal epic as Haaland seals Premier League ton

And, speaking in the wake of Tuesday’s quite extraordinary 5-4 Premier League win at Fulham where Haaland’s opener saw him achieve the feat, Guardiola said the Norwegian had already long assured his place as one of the league’s greatest strikers of all time.

On what was an amazing clash at Craven Cottage, Haaland struck the opening goal to become the quickest player to reach three figures, the 25-year achieving the feat in just 111 games – 13 faster than Alan Shearer.

His goal was the precursor to a rollercoaster evening that showcased all the thrills and spills that make the Premier League the globe’s pre-eminent competition.

A Phil Foden brace allied to a strike from Tijjani Reijnders and a Sander Berge own goal saw City open up a 5-1 lead early in the second half,

But Fulham then staged a stirring late fightback, scoring three times in 20 minutes to narrow the gap to 5-4 before City held on to claim a precious victory that moved us to within two points of leaders Arsenal.

Reflecting on what was a night to remember, the City boss made plain his huge admiration for Haaland’s latest extraordinary feat.

Men's Team

Joining Premier League 100 Club is massive, says Haaland

“When I arrived if you told me that in 111 games, he scored 100 goals, I’d say, ‘Are you sure?’ In this league? But he did it. The numbers are insane. Insane,” Pep pointed out.

“For sure he’s one of the best [Premier League strikers of all time.

“For the strikers, it’s a question of numbers and his numbers have no discussions.

“You are British right and you bring the best strikers to this country, so Erling is one of them.

“I am happy for him and happy for the team to deliver this day for him.

“And let’s continue.

“It’s Tijjani [Reijnders’] first season, Nico O’Reilly’s first season playing in that position, Matheus [Nunes’] first season playing in that position, Nico Gonzalez’s first year playing a lot.

100 UP: The City players salute Erling after his special goal

Picture Special

Gallery: Haaland 100 goals, 100 photos

“[Mateo] Kovacic and Rodri - the Ballon d’Or winner alongside Erling Haaland as the most important player that we have - one year and a half we don’t have him, we don’t have replacements for Nico in that position, Rayan Cherki is new.

“Today, in the last minutes, Rayan Cherki and Bernardo [Silva] and Nico O’Reilly was the key to keeping less chances to concede the goal.

“In the last minutes, especially Rayan was exceptional.

“What can I say? Improve, and there were many good things, and the bad things?

“We’ll improve.”

PEP'S PRAISE: The boss says City will only be better for the experience of a memorable Fulham win.

And in a sober warning to the rest of the league, the boss also said he saw no reason why Haaland and City shouldn’t continue to develop and improve.

“Erling could have had three goals today,” Pep pointed out.

“I think for the team, changing seven, eight, nine players in two transfer windows, it’s a question of growing.

“And that will be a good lesson for the future.”