It is, then, perhaps fitting that a notable anniversary for our all-time record league goalscorer - Tommy Johnson - should fall the day after Haaland became the Premier League’s highest scorer in one season.
Haaland’s delightful chip over Lukasz Fabianski against West Ham took him to 35 Premier League goals to date, eclipsing the previous record of 34 which was jointly held by Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole.
But our goal-hungry Norwegian still needs another three strikes to equal the Club record set by Johnson some 94 years ago.
On this day (4 May) in 1929 that Johnson scored his 38th goal of the 1928/29 First Division (then top flight) campaign in a 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield, establishing a Manchester City record that has stood for almost a century.
Johnson played for City from 1919 until 1930, amassing 158 league goals during those 11 years, which is equal to Eric Brook and bettered only by Sergio Aguero (184) .
Johnson was sold to Everton in 1930 for £6,000, but being a huge favourite with the City supporters, his departure sparked protests and anger.
Ironically, he would partner Everton’s legendary Dixie Dean, who has bagged 60 league goals in one incredible 1927/28 season for the Toffees - 65 in total – another record Haaland has in his sights.
Dean is also credited as the first striker to wear the No.9 shirt, which, of course, Haaland proudly wears for the Blues.
For now, however, four more league goals will see Erling break Johnson’s long-standing Club record and Manchester City historian and author Dr Gary James revealed that Johnson’s son Alan once commented that his father would have been overjoyed - if and when his record is beaten.
James said: “Alan Johnson once told me several years ago: ‘Dad always wanted someone to break his record.
“He looked forward to congratulating the man who did, but as time’s gone by it seems unlikely it will ever go.
“That’s a shame. Dad always thought records are something to aim for. They need to be broken.’”
Erling Haaland is doing his best to facilitate Tommy Johnson’s wishes...
