The Premier League's most prolific strikers as Haaland breaks record

Erling Haaland has become the first Premier League player to hit 45 goals in all competitions in one season.

The Norwegian powerhouse, 22, is scoring for fun in a Manchester City shirt this campaign and looks to have guaranteed himself the Golden Boot.

Read on as we take a look at the lethal finishers the former Borussia Dortmund man has overtaken.

Harry Kane — 41 goals (2017-18)

Harry Kane was at the peak of his powers in the 2017-18 season as Tottenham secured a third-placed finish.

Thirty of the No10's 41 goals that term came in the Premier League and the expert finisher never went more than four games without netting.

The England skipper hit back-to-back hat-tricks in the league and scored seven times in the Champions League despite being eliminated at the last-16 stage.

Andrew Cole — 41 goals (1993-94)

Andrew Cole's form in the 1993-94 season was a spectacle and he walked away as the top goalscorer and assist king as Newcastle finished behind Blackburn and Manchester United in the standings.

His 34 league goals came at a time when clubs played 42 matches across a campaign but his consistency was unmatched in Toon's first season in the rebranded top flight.

Strikes against United, Liverpool and Arsenal were essential in helping the Magpies qualify for the UEFA Cup for the first time since the 1970s.

Cristiano Ronaldo — 42 goals (2007-08)

Before his famous move to Real Madrid in 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo had United fans on the edge of their seats every weekend as he emerged as one of football's top talents.

The Portuguese icon scored 31 league goals in 34 appearances in the 2007-08 campaign, which saw the Red Devils claim the Premier League, Champions League and Community Shield.

His iconic free-kick against Portsmouth was the pick of the bunch in a season where Ronaldo also grabbed eight goals in Europe and three in the FA Cup.

Mohamed Salah — 44 goals (2017-18)

Mohamed Salah tallied a mindblowing 44 goals in the 2017-18 season and only scored three or more in a match once.

His season was marred by the shoulder injury he picked up in the Champions League final against Real Madrid after scoring 10 times on the way to the showpiece.

And despite the Egyptian racking up 32 Premier League goals, the Reds could only finish fourth in the table.

Ruud van Nistelrooy — 44 goals (2002-03)

Ruud van Nistelrooy is remembered as one of the Premier League's most dangerous strikers and his 44-goal campaign in 2002-03 supports that claim.

The Dutch dynamo scored in all four competitions for United and netted 14 times in Europe as he helped guide his club from the qualifying round to the Champions League quarter-finals.

His run of scoring in eight consecutive league matches at the end of the season included a goal against rivals Arsenal and two hat-tricks as the No10 collected the Golden Boot alongside his league winner's medal.

Erling Haaland — 45 goals (2022-23)

So far, the No9 has netted 30 goals in 27 league appearances and 11 times in just seven Champions League outings — with five of his European strikes coming on one night against RB Leipzig.

Haaland memorably grabbed back-to-back hat-tricks in the league against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest as he put down a statement of intent.

His goal against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night saw him become the most prolific striker across a single campaign in the top flight.