Erling Haaland overtakes two England legends to break 28-year Prem record and given guard of honour by team-mates at end

ERLING HAALAND has become the Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer in a single season.

The Man City ace has been devastating opposition defences all season, with West Ham being no exception.

PAErling Haaland broke the Premier League goalscoring record for one season against West Ham[/caption]

Haaland hit his 35th league goal of the seasonRichard Pelham / The Sun

After being played in behind by Jack Grealish, Haaland found himself bearing down on goal with history beckoning.

And he did not need a second invitation to make history as he produced a beautiful chip over Lukasz Fabianski.

The goal puts the insatiable ace on 35 league goals for the season in just 31 games.

This return means he now stands alone as the division’s all-time leading scorer in a single season.

England legends Andy Cole and Alan Shearer both achieved a remarkable return of 34 apiece in the 1993/94 and 1994/95 seasons respectively – both 42-game seasons.

But now Haaland has proceeded to blow their records out of the water in a 38-game season, and with five games remaining no less.

Following the match, Man City players and staff gave the 22-year-old a guard of honour before entering the tunnel.

His goal against West Ham also means he has scored in each of his last six consecutive league appearances.

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The former Borussia Dortmund star’s strike was sandwiched by goals from Nathan Ake and Phil Foden in a routine 3-0 win.

The goals he has put up have been vital in ensuring City’s hunt for a third title in a row remained on track even when the rest of the team appeared to be faltering.

Critics prematurely declared earlier this season that City played worse with Haaland in the team.

However, a tactical shift from Pep Guardiola has allowed the squad to rediscover its groove, putting together nine wins on the spin in the league including a 4-1 win over former Prem leaders Arsenal.

Haaland may also prove to be the missing piece of the puzzle as City aim for a historic treble.

The Norwegian has scored 12 goals in the Champions League, with potentially three more games to go as City gear up to face Real Madrid in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, he has also added three goals in as many games on the way to the FA Cup final.

Reacting to the achievement, Ake told Sky Sports: “Yeah it’s crazy you know.

“The way he came in and does what he does every day and today again scoring the goals, he’s always there.

“And to be honest he deserves everything he gets because he’s a top player.”

Guardiola also joined in the praise for his talisman, saying: “He’s unbelievable, a unique person, he deserves the guard of honour because it’s an incredible milestone.

“Maybe one day he’ll break his record.”