Johnny Nicholson: Pep's City hit the top as relentless Haaland keeps scoring

Weekend Talking Points: John Stones' move to midfield as worked well for the champions. 

Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates with Bernardo Silva after victory in the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Manchester City at Craven Cottage on April 30, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

City hit the top

Few can have doubted that this would be a win for Manchester City, up to and including Fulham it would seem, as they handed their opponents the lead by conceding a clear penalty on three minutes when Julian Alvarez was flattened by Tim Ream, allowing Erling Haaland to score his 50th of the season. It was the first time anyone has done so for a top flight club since ‘Pongo’ Waring did it for Aston Villa in the 1930-31 season. Steve Bull scored 52 for Wolves in the 1987-88 season and also 50 the following season, albeit in the fourth tier. Haaland’s next English goalscoring record to aim for is Dixie Dean’s 63 in all competitions in 1927-28. He has potentially 10 games to do so.