Pep Guardiola has described Erling Haaland's incredible scoring exploits for Manchester City as a "surprise," with the Norwegian on the verge of smashing the Premier League's single-season goal record.

The 22-year-old scored his 34th league goal in Sunday's 2-1 win over Fulham, tying him with Andy Cole and Alan Shearer for the joint Premier League single-season record.

Haaland's goal at Craven Cottage was his 50th of the season, breaking the all-competitions record set by a Premier League player since the league was renamed in 1992.

Haaland could break Dixie Dean's all-time English record of 63 goals established in the 1927/28 season with ten games remaining for treble-chasing City this season.


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The Everton striker's 60 Premier League goals record during that season will almost certainly stand.

Haaland has had an incredible first year in English football, but Guardiola believes there is still much more to come from the former Borussia Dortmund star.

"It's a surprise to all of us - perhaps not to him - that he's doing what he's accomplishing in this difficult league, but the way he behaves and has behaved is for the team's success," he said.

"Of course, breaking records is good for him and the team." It is a good indicator.

"The significance of a record stems from the fact that it was not broken for a long time." One day, all records will be shattered.

"I'm confident he'll score more Premier League goals before the end of the season."


With their 4-1 thrashing of Arsenal last week, City put themselves in control of the title race.

On the contrary, Guardiola refuses to take anything lightly as City prepares to face West Ham at home on Wednesday.

"West Ham may not have had the season they hoped for, but that does not imply the quality isn't there," he pointed out.

"They've been exceptional in the last two seasons with David Moyes.

"The weapons are there, and they make an excellent team." I have no reservations about them. Anything can happen in a single game. We must be completely prepared."