Erling Haaland achieved career-first 'milestone' against Chelsea - after unusual moment in match

Erling Haaland of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on November 12, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Erling Haaland managed something for the first time in his career during Manchester City's 4-4 draw with Chelsea on Sunday. 

After netting the opening goal of the game with a penalty in the 25th minute, Haaland then bagged his second in the 47th minute to make it 3-2 to Manchester City. In doing so, he claims he scored with a body part for the first time in his professional career. 

Sliding in at the back post ahead of Chelsea captain Reece James following a swift Manchester City attack, the ball appeared to go in off of Erling Haaland's backside. He later pointed out that perhaps another area of his body had the definitive touch, though. 

Manchester City's Erling Haaland scores their third goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on November 12, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Haaland's second was extremely unconventional (Image credit: Getty Images)

“I have never scored with my balls before," Haaland laughed with Viaplay after the game. "So that is a milestone.”

A serial record-breaker, finding a new way to score goals certainly seemed a difficult prospect for the Norwegian, too. His second against Chelsea on Sunday was the 251st goal of his professional career, highlighting his innovative methods to keep opponents constantly guessing. 

While Haaland's less-conventional goalscoring method put City 3-2 up in the game at Stamford Bridge early in the second half, there was still time for plenty more drama. Nicolas Jackson equalised for Chelsea midway through the second period, before Rodri's deflected strike off of Thiago Silva looked to have won it in the closing stages.

Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates with Phil Foden after scoring his side's third goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on November 12, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Haaland bagged a brace against Chelsea (Image credit: Getty Images)

However, Cole Palmer confidently stepped up with a stoppage time penalty to ensure that both teams shared a point. 

Manchester City therefore stay at the top of the Premier League ahead of the international break with the draw, as they look to win their fourth consecutive title.

Haaland, meanwhile, is flying out in front in the top scorers chart with 13 goals after 12 games, with Mohamed Salah the only other player to hit double figures so far this term. 

More Erling Haaland stories

Haaland may not have won the Ballon d'Or, but that doesn't mean he didn't deserve to beat Lionel Messi to the award, according to FFT editor James Andrew.

Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund has spoken about how he would love to reach the level of his Scandinavian counterpart.

Last month, Haaland managed to break a record at Old Trafford against Manchester City's bitter rivals, too.

Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.