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In the ever-competitive terrain of English Premier League football, where legends are made and reputations are tested week in, week out, a select group of forwards have distinguished themselves by delivering goals with ruthless consistency from the very start of their careers. According to a recent report by Planet Football, seven players have etched their names in the record books by scoring the highest number of goals in their first 100 Premier League appearances — and topping that list is none other than Manchester City’s Norwegian goal machine, Erling Haaland.

Haaland, who made his Premier League debut in 2022, has shattered expectations and rewritten history books with an astonishing 88 goals in his first 100 matches.

The landmark goal came in City’s clash against Brighton, where the striker once again found the back of the net to cap off his century of appearances. His record-breaking tally includes the 36 goals he scored in his debut season — the highest ever in a single Premier League campaign — followed by another 52 goals spread across subsequent fixtures. With his physical dominance, clinical finishing, and relentless hunger for goals, Haaland has set a benchmark that may remain untouched for years to come.
Closely trailing him is Premier League legend Alan Shearer, who netted 79 goals in his first 100 games. The former England international began his top-flight journey with Blackburn Rovers, scoring 16 goals in just 21 appearances during the league’s inaugural season. Over the next decade, Shearer continued to torment defenders, eventually retiring as the Premier League’s all-time top scorer with 260 goals — a record that still stands tall.
Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy occupies the third spot with 68 goals in his first 100 matches for Manchester United. Renowned for his poacher’s instinct and sharp movement inside the box, Van Nistelrooy was a nightmare for defenders and a dream for midfielders like Paul Scholes, who once said, “I knew what he wanted without speaking to him.” His chemistry with teammates and his ability to convert half-chances into goals made him one of the most feared forwards of his era.
Sergio Aguero, Manchester City’s all-time leading scorer, follows with 64 goals in his first 100 appearances. Despite battling injuries throughout his career, the Argentine striker consistently delivered, scoring 20 or more goals in six of his ten seasons in England. Surprisingly, Aguero only won one Golden Boot, but his impact on City’s rise to dominance cannot be overstated.

Three players share the fifth spot with 63 goals each: Andy Cole, Fernando Torres, and Mohamed Salah. Cole, who started his Premier League journey with Newcastle United before moving to Manchester United, won five league titles and claimed the Golden Boot in the 1993–94 season with 34 goals. Torres, during his Liverpool days, was electric — combining blistering pace with lethal finishing. His first 100 games were his peak years, as he only managed 22 goals in the 112 appearances that followed. Salah, the only non-striker on the list, has defied expectations as a winger. His 63 goals in his first 100 games came through dazzling footwork, sharp instincts, and relentless drive. Today, the Egyptian star has scored 187 Premier League goals, placing him among the top three all-time scorers in the competition.
From the viewing centres in Surulere to the football-loving communities in Kano and Port Harcourt, Nigerian fans have long celebrated these global stars, many of whom have played pivotal roles in their favourite clubs’ successes. Whether it’s Haaland’s brute force, Salah’s finesse, or Shearer’s legacy, these players have proven that greatness doesn’t wait — it announces itself early and often. As the Premier League continues to evolve, this elite list serves as a reminder that some players are simply built different, and their first 100 games are just the beginning of a legendary journey.