Pep Guardiola admits incredible Erling Haaland season has been 'a surprise for all of us'

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admits Erling Haaland's astonishing first season in the Premier League has been “a surprise for all of us” but maybe not the player himself.

Haaland will overtake Andy Cole and Alan Shearer's record goals tally if his finds the net against West Ham on Wednesday.

The Norwegian netted his 34th of the league campaign in the 2-1 victory at Fulham, drawing him level with Cole and Shearer, who reached the same total for Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers, respectively.

Haaland's strike at Craven Cottage was his 50th of the season in all competitions and, with a potential 10 games remaining, it is not inconceivable that he could pass Dixie Dean's 1927-28 record of 63 for Everton.

The win against Fulham meant City leapfrogged Arsenal in the table and took over the top spot for the first time since mid-February – and they have a game in hand on the Gunners.

And Guardiola is confident there will be more to come for Haaland, 22, before the season is over.

“It is a surprise for all of us – but maybe not for him – to do what he's doing in this difficult league but the way he behaves and has done it is for the success of the team,” said Guardiola ahead of the game at the Etihad Stadium.

“Of course it's good for him and the team if he breaks the records. It's a good sign. The magnitude of a record is that is stands for a long time and it’s not broken.

“All will be broken one day. He himself or another one will break the record Erling is going to set, because I'm pretty sure he is going to score more goals in the Premier League until the end of the season.”

Haaland's partnership with Kevin De Bruyne has been at the heart of City's unbeaten run of 18 games in all competitions and Premier League