Erling Haaland Scores Against Every Premier League Team He Has Faced After Sunderland Goal

Erling Haaland ticked off the last remaining Premier League opponent on his list after finally scoring against Sunderland in Manchester City's 5-3 win at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, 20 September.

The Norwegian striker's 81st-minute goal means he has now scored against every Premier League team he has faced since joining Manchester City. Sunderland had been the only remaining opponent on his list after Haaland failed to score against them in his previous two league meetings.

Haaland's landmark goal arrived with six minutes remaining when he slid in at the far post to convert a cross from Joško Gvardiol. The goal was initially ruled offside, but VAR intervened and overturned the decision, allowing the goal to stand.

Haaland Completes Premier League Set

Manchester City had identified Sunderland as the only Premier League side Haaland had faced without scoring against before the match.

City's own preview noted that a goal against the newly promoted side would mean Haaland had scored against all 25 opponents he had encountered in the English top flight. He had already scored against every other team on that list, making Sunderland the final club to strike against.

The achievement adds to an extensive scoring record since Haaland arrived at Manchester City in 2022. He had already scored against every other Premier League opponent he had faced, with Sunderland the only remaining club on his list.

Sunderland had previously frustrated the striker. City drew 0-0 at Sunderland on New Year's Day 2026, while Haaland had also failed to score when the sides met earlier in the season. That made Sunday's fixture an opportunity for him to finally add Sunderland to his list.

Manchester City Win Eight-Goal Thriller

Haaland's landmark strike was also important in a match that repeatedly threatened to swing in Sunderland's favour. City took the lead through Enzo Fernández after nine minutes, but Brian Brobbey equalised three minutes later. Rayan Cherki restored the hosts' advantage before Brobbey struck again, leaving the teams level at 2-2.

Antoine Semenyo then put City ahead before half-time and extended the lead shortly after the restart. Brobbey completed his hat-trick in the 59th minute to make it 4-3 and keep Sunderland within touching distance.

Haaland eventually provided City with the breathing room they needed, scoring his side's fifth goal with six minutes remaining. Sunderland continued to threaten until the final whistle, but City held on for three points.

The result maintained Manchester City's perfect start to the Premier League season. According to the club's match report, City entered the international break as the only Premier League team with a 100 per cent record.

Another Milestone for Haaland

The Sunderland goal adds another statistical landmark to Haaland's Manchester City career.

He had already become one of the Premier League's most prolific scorers since arriving in England, while earlier milestones included reaching 100 Premier League goals and becoming only the second player after Harry Kane to score against every team he had faced at that stage of his career.

Now, after finally scoring against Sunderland, Haaland has completed the full set of 25 Premier League opponents he has faced.

For a striker who has consistently rewritten scoring records since arriving at the Etihad, the Sunderland goal underlined his consistency and ensured there is now no Premier League opponent he has faced without finding the net against.