Haaland Sets Palace Record in City Win
- Haaland scored twice in City's 4-1 win over Crystal Palace, taking his tally to 10 goals in six Premier League appearances against the club.
- No other Premier League player had previously scored in every appearance against a single opponent with as many goals as Haaland has against Palace.
- Crystal Palace have lost both of their opening fixtures, having also fallen 0-2 to Everton on the first matchday.
Erling Haaland scored twice and set a new Premier League record as Manchester City defeated Crystal Palace 4-1 in south London, moving temporarily to the top of the table on the second matchday of the season.
A record that stands alone
Haaland has now scored in each of his six Premier League appearances against Crystal Palace, accumulating ten goals across those matches. According to the available record, no player in the league had previously scored in every appearance against a single opponent while reaching that goal tally. The Norwegian — sporting a notably shorter haircut after his customary longer style — opened the scoring with a powerful header in the 17th minute and completed the rout with a left-footed finish in the 84th.
Two stunning goals, one costly mistake
The second half produced the most dramatic moments of an otherwise controlled City display. Rayan Cherki, 23, weaved past four defenders before finishing clinically from close range in the 54th minute to make it 2-1. Two minutes later, Yeremy Pino's free-kick struck the crossbar and rebounded off the back of goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who inadvertently carried the ball over his own line. Cherki then extinguished any prospect of a Palace comeback, finishing from distance to restore a two-goal cushion in the 59th minute before Haaland's late second settled the contest.
City's perfect start, Palace's troubled one
Under Enzo Maresca, 46 — who succeeded Pep Guardiola in the City dugout — the club have won both opening fixtures. City's opening-day victory over Bournemouth came in stoppage time, setting the tone for a confident beginning to the campaign. Crystal Palace, by contrast, are already facing questions after a second successive defeat; they lost 0-2 to Everton on the opening weekend. Palace face Fulham next, while City host promoted Coventry City.
Haaland's record-breaking form — and the continued speculation surrounding his future — ensures he will remain at the centre of the Premier League's early narrative.
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