Man City boss Pep Guardiola praises ‘unique’ Erling Haaland for ‘unbelievable’ scoring and predicts more records broken

Pep Guardiola described Erling Haaland as “unique” after the Manchester City striker broke the Premier League record for most goals in a single season.

Haaland’s 35th league goal of the season – in just 31 appearances – earned him the record for most goals scored in a Premier League season, for both 38-match and 42-match campaigns.

The 22-year-old now boasts 51 goals in 45 club appearances this season and will be fancied to add to that with potentially nine remaining games for City in the league, Champions League and FA Cup to come.

City moved back to the top of the league table, a point clear of Arsenal, with a 3-0 win over West Ham.

If they win their game in hand they would go four points clear, making them even clearer favourites for another league win under Guardiola.

“Every game is hard, we didn’t play bad. The second half was much better,” he told Sky Sports.

“I am really pleased, five games left, one of the games we had in hand we used well. We recover quick for Saturday at 3pm against Sam Allardyce [at home against Leeds].

“We were a little bit anxious in the first half. When there are games and games and games sometimes you drop a little bit. We dropped a little bit but not much.”

Turning to Haaland, he was full of praise: “It is unbelievable how many goals he has scored – so many important goals to help us win games.

“He is a unique person, as a player but also the person is special. He deserved the guard of honour.

“It is an incredible milestone. One day maybe he will break his record or someone else will, but they will have to score a lot of goals.”

Haaland was asked if he would swap his goals for the treble, and he quickly answered: “Yes, yes. It’s the most important thing.

“Everyone knows it’s possible but we can’t think of the FA Cup final now. We just have to think of Leeds. Every one of the last nine games now is a cup final.”

On his record-breaking goal, he added: “It’s a special night and a special moment. I’m really happy and proud. I don’t know what else to say.”

Speaking after the game, Nathan Ake, another of the night’s scorers for City, reflected on the win and the club’s title chances.

He told Sky Sports: “It was very tough. They defended really well. We tried to put balls in the box but they defended well.

“Once we got the goal we found more space to play.

“Every game now is going to be tough, everyone is fighting for something. We had to dig in and play our game. It wasn’t the best we’ve played but we stayed strong and got the three points.

“We have to keep on pushing now. It’s not finished yet. Leeds will be tough be we have to go again.”

City play Leeds on Saturday before facing Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.