Crystal Palace have become one of Erling Haaland’s favorite Premier League opponents since the Norwegian joined Manchester City in 2022.
Haaland extended that remarkable record on Aug. 28, 2026, scoring twice as Manchester City beat Palace 4-1 at Selhurst Park. He has now scored 10 goals in 6 Premier League appearances against the Eagles, finding the net in every one of those league appearances.
The latest brace continued a streak that began with his first Manchester City hat trick in August 2022 and has survived multiple seasons, changing managers and matches at both the Etihad Stadium and Selhurst Park.
Ten goals and still counting
Every striker in professional soccer has one team they enjoy facing more than any other opponent. For Erling Haaland, that specific team is Crystal Palace, a club that brings out his most ruthless scoring side.
Haaland has scored in every single one of his 6 Premier League career appearances against Crystal Palace, piling up 10 total goals across those meetings without ever going blank.
That level of consistency is extremely rare in modern soccer. Palace coaches study video footage, shuffle their back line, and try fresh defensive plans, yet the giant Norwegian forward always keeps finding a way through.
The hat-trick that started it all
Haaland first properly introduced himself to Crystal Palace on August 27, 2022, in a thrilling and memorable early Premier League match played at the Etihad Stadium during his very first full season with Manchester City.
Palace took a 2-0 lead before halftime through a John Stones own goal and a Joachim Andersen header. Haaland then scored three times in the second half as City completed a 4-2 comeback victory.
Haaland’s hat-trick was his first in English football and signaled the start of an impressive Premier League scoring record. This achievement against Crystal Palace showcased his potential as a top striker in the league.
One rare off day at Wembley
Not every match has been a triumph for Haaland. In the 2025 FA Cup final held at Wembley, Crystal Palace secured a historic 1-0 victory over Manchester City, claiming their first-ever FA Cup title.
Oddly enough, Haaland passed up the chance to take a crucial penalty that day. His teammate Omar Marmoush stepped up instead and missed, leaving Palace to celebrate one of the biggest upsets of their season.
That defeat remains the lone blemish on an otherwise dominant record. It also proves that even against a team he tortures constantly, football can still deliver its own share of strange, unexpected twists and turns.
A brace that continues Selhurst Park magic
In December 2025, Haaland returned to Selhurst Park and delivered another outstanding performance. He scored twice as Manchester City earned a 3-0 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace.
The Norwegian opened the scoring with a header in the 41st minute before converting a late penalty to complete his brace. Phil Foden scored City’s other goal in the 69th minute.
The pattern continued at Selhurst Park on Aug. 28, 2026. Haaland headed City in front in the 17th minute and added his second goal in the 84th as Enzo Maresca’s side won 4-1.
Fresh off a stunning World Cup run
This latest outing also marked something personal for Haaland. It was his 1st goal contribution since a sensational summer at the World Cup, where he captured hearts and went viral across the entire footballing world.
Haaland scored 7 goals in just 5 matches during that tournament, guiding Norway all the way to the quarterfinals. Along the way, his team memorably defeated the five-time champions, Brazil, thrilling fans back home.
Norway had not reached a World Cup in nearly 30 years before this summer’s remarkable run. Returning to domestic football against Crystal Palace felt almost routine compared to the drama he had just delivered abroad.
Little-known fact: Erling Haaland has repeatedly stated that he dreams of retiring to a small farm where he plans to raise animals, such as cows.
A family history rooted in Manchester
Erling Haaland’s connection to Manchester City predates his own career at the club. His father, Alf-Inge Haaland, joined City in 2000 and remained with the club until injuries brought his top-level career to an early end.
During a Manchester derby in April 2001, Manchester United captain Roy Keane was sent off for a deliberate challenge on Haaland. Keane made contact with his right leg, while the persistent injury that ultimately forced Haaland to retire involved his left knee. Alf-Inge later suggested the incidents could have been connected, although the precise relationship has remained disputed.
Erling followed his father by joining Manchester City decades later and has since become one of the club’s most prolific scorers.
Fun fact: Haaland was actually born in Leeds, England, even though he plays internationally for Norway, because both of his parents are Norwegian.
Why Palace simply cannot solve him
So why exactly does Palace struggle so badly against this one striker? Part of the answer lies in Haaland’s sheer physical presence, standing 6 feet 5 inches tall with strength that few defenders can match.
He wins headers with ease, finishes chances calmly under pressure, and rarely needs more than a handful of touches to make his mark. Against a stretched defense, those traits become nearly impossible to fully stop.
What does this means for City this season
For Manchester City, Haaland’s latest brace is an encouraging sign early in the 2026-27 season. City have won their first 2 Premier League matches under new head coach Enzo Maresca, giving them 6 points from a possible 6.
Haaland failed to score in the opening 2-1 victory over Bournemouth but responded with 2 goals against Crystal Palace, opening his league account for the season as City produced an impressive 4-1 away win.
Palace are due to face City again later in the Premier League season, giving Haaland another opportunity to extend a scoring streak against the Eagles that began in August 2022.
TL;DR
- Haaland has scored 10 goals in 6 Premier League appearances against Crystal Palace since joining Manchester City in 2022.
- He has scored in every Premier League appearance he has made against the Eagles.
- His streak began with a hat trick in City’s 4-2 comeback victory at the Etihad Stadium in August 2022.
- Haaland scored 7 goals in 5 matches as Norway reached the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals before returning to score twice against Palace.
- His Aug. 28 brace helped Manchester City earn a 4-1 away victory and move to 6 points from their first 2 Premier League matches.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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