HAALAND & GREALISH: A PERFECT PLAN
Jack wanted to be a part of Erling’s record goal so the pair concocted a plot that worked like a dream
ERLING HAALAND cooked up a plan with Manchester City pal Jack Grealish to become a Premier League record breaker.
The Norway hotshot plundered his 51st goal of the season (top inset) in Wednesday’s 3-0 romp over West Ham to become the first player to score 35 in a Premier League season.
Haaland, 22, is now chasing down the all-time record of 63 goals in a single campaign set by the legendary Dixie Dean (right) in 1928.
If City go all the way to the Champions League final, the Etihad superstar will have nine games for the 13 goals he would need to pass Dean’s mark.
Haaland admits the feeling of overtaking Alan Shearer and Andy Cole’s joint record is “unreal” and was given a guard of honour by his team-mates (inset, above). And he revealed how he planned it with Grealish, because the England winger wanted to be part of the historic moment.
It was Grealish’s pass that set-up Haaland’s landmark goal and the unstoppable striker said: “It’s a bit unreal, to be honest, and I’m really happy for that fantastic moment.
“I wasn’t thinking of this kind of record when I came here. So to break it means I have done something special – and I’m really proud.
“Me and Jack spoke about it – and he said that he wanted to get the assist for the record-breaking goal.
“And it was perfect. It’s a nice goal. I saw the keeper come out and I decided to chip him.”
Haaland claims he has not even thought about his chances of now breaking the record. It actually was on this day in 1928 that Dean scored a hat-trick for Everton in a 3-3 draw with Arsenal at Goodison Park, on the last afternoon of the season, to overtake George Camsell’s previous mark of 59 for the outright league record.
Dean’s other three goals came in the the FA Cup.
But in a warning to his rivals, Haaland admits what he is focusing on is scoring even more goals before the season is finished, as City look to land a historic Treble.
He said: “I don’t think of overtaking the record of Dean – or any records.
“I try to do my job for the team and focus on what I can do on the pitch to win football games.
“I think of the next game and creating the next chance – that’s what I think of.
“I have to do my thing. For me, the most important thing is to convert the chances. We have to execute it in the right way – that’s what I try to focus on.
“We have to rest and now think about the next game against Leeds. That’s how this job is. We have to take it game by game. The spirit in this club is unreal and the vibe, too. I really enjoy it.”
Despite all the plaudits, Haaland is determined to keep his talented feet on the ground and is quick to thank others for helping him achieve what he has done.
He added: “I have to thank my team-mates for training with them every day and making the plays so I can score. All my friends and family as well – I have to thank them.
“I stay humble and be ready for every single game. I know about Shearer and Cole from my father. They were massive players, so it’s a big moment and I’m happy.”