Manchester City's potent striker Erling Haaland has begun the 2023/24 Premier League season with a bang, securing his fifth hat-trick in the English top flight. This remarkable feat came during Manchester City's commanding 5-1 victory over Fulham on September 2, 2023.

As the young Norwegian continues to dominate the Premier League, football enthusiasts worldwide wonder if he can challenge the legendary Alan Shearer's record for the most Premier League hat-tricks. This article delves into the fascinating world of hat-tricks in the English Premier League.

Who Reigns Supreme

From the Premier League's inception (During the 92/93 season), over 200 hat-tricks have graced the English football stage. Surprisingly, the man at the top of this elite list is not Cristiano Ronaldo, Mohamed Salah, Wayne Rooney, or even Alan Shearer.

erling.haaland/ Instagram | Erling Haaland is Manchester City's goalscoring machine

Instead, it's former Manchester City sharpshooter Sergio Aguero who holds the crown with a staggering 12 hat-tricks. Aguero's decade-long tenure with Manchester City saw him become a goal-scoring phenomenon, amassing 184 top-flight goals in 275 appearances.

Aguero's remarkable journey began in September 2011 when he claimed his first Premier League hat-trick against Wigan. His final one came in January 2020 when Manchester City dismantled Aston Villa 6-1. However, his retirement followed his move to Barcelona due to a heart condition, leaving his record untouched.

Hat-Trick Heroes in Premier League History

Alan Shearer holds the top spot in the all-time Premier League hat-tricks list with 11, followed closely by Robbie Fowler at nine. However, Erling Haaland stands out, achieving three hat-tricks in just eight matches, setting a record for the quickest hat-trick spree in Premier League history. He also became the first player to achieve a hat-trick in three consecutive home league matches.

erling.haaland/ Instagram | Despite his still tender years, Haaland is already a formidable physical presence

Season of Shearer's Brilliance

Alan Shearer's 1995/96 season showcased his prolific goal-scoring talent, where he netted an astounding five hat-tricks for Blackburn Rovers. Starting in September 1995 against Coventry City, his treble spree continued against Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Bolton, and Tottenham. Shearer's remarkable season culminated in 31 league goals, with five hat-tricks contributing significantly to his career total.

Speedsters and Record-Breakers

Sadio Mane's unforgettable hat-trick in 2 minutes and 56 seconds for Southampton against Aston Villa in May 2015 set the record for the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history, preceding Robbie Fowler's previous record. Notably, Son Heung-min's hat-trick in just 13 minutes as a substitute for Tottenham against Leicester City in the 2022/23 season captured the imagination of football enthusiasts.

erling.haaland/ Instagram | Erling Haaland is a Norwegian footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester City.

Other Fascinating Hat-Trick Feats

Premier League history has seen various intriguing hat-trick records unfold. From Eric Cantona's first-ever Premier League hat-trick for Leeds United to Emmanuel Adebayor's hat-trick against Bolton in both league games during the 2007/08 season, the league has witnessed unique scoring exploits.

Luis Suarez's dominance against Norwich City, scoring three hat-tricks against them during his Liverpool tenure, stands as a remarkable feat. Additionally, seven players have netted hat-tricks in consecutive matches, including notable names like Wayne Rooney, Sergio Aguero, and Erling Haaland.

Speaking of 'perfect' hat-tricks, Erling Haaland joined the select group by scoring with his left foot, right foot, and head in a single match against Nottingham Forest. While Robbie Fowler leads with three "perfect" hat-tricks in Premier League history, the likes of Sergio Aguero and Yakubu have achieved this feat twice.

Finally, Duncan Ferguson and Salomon Rondon remain unique in Premier League history, being the only players to score hat-tricks entirely from headers.