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Haaland eyes rare Premier League milestone as Man City face Sunderland
20th September, 2026 02:25 PM
Manchester City’s upcoming clash against Sunderland on Sunday, September 20, 2026, comes at an interesting juncture as the early Premier League race is shaping up.
The 4:00 pm kick-off at Etihad Stadium will also be a prime opportunity for striker Erling Haaland to extend a remarkable personal milestone.
Checking off the list
A goal for the Norwegian against the Black Cats will successfully complete a clean sweep by scoring against every single Premier League opponent he has faced.
Having encountered 25 different top-flight opponents since joining City, Haaland has successfully punished 24 of them. His goal against Brentford in February 2025 marked his first time scoring against the Bees, leaving Sunderland as the final remaining team on his checklist.
The striker approaches this fixture on the back of a scorching start to the campaign.
His decisive winner against newly promoted Coventry City in Matchweek 3, followed by a clinical brace in a 4-2 victory over Crystal Palace, underlines his lethal touch in front of goal.
Furthermore, Haaland’s recent heroics in the Manchester derby saw him net his ninth goal in the fixture, a strike that not only earned City local bragging rights but also saw him surpass the legendary scoring records previously held by Sergio Agüero and Wayne Rooney.
That milestone victory also made City the first visiting team in Premier League history to register 10 wins at Old Trafford, sitting well clear of Liverpool (8 victories), Chelsea, and Arsenal at the famous ground.
Haaland impresses at World Cup
The striker was also among the big-name strikers who impressed the 2026 World Cup. He helped Norway reach the quarter-finals after eliminating Brazil, scoring 2 goals against them, and finished the tournament with seven goals, the most by any striker on his debut.
With City finding rhythm and confidence under new coach Enzo Maresca, Haaland remains the focal point of City’s attacking machine as he looks to cross Sunderland off his list once and for all.
The Italian coach recently explained why keeping the striker happy is crucial to the club’s overall on-pitch fortunes and success.
