Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak achieved a significant milestone on Sunday by scoring his 50th Premier League goal. The Swedish forward reached this landmark after netting a first-half brace in the 4-3 victory over Nottingham Forest at St James’ Park. Isak’s goals were crucial as Newcastle held on for the win despite a second-half comeback from Forest, with the result keeping them within striking distance of fourth-placed Manchester City, who remain in the UEFA Champions League qualification spots only on goal difference.
Isak, who joined Newcastle in August 2022 for a club-record fee of around £63 million, has been a key figure in their form this season, already scoring 19 league goals — just two shy of his total from the entire 2023/24 campaign. Manager Eddie Howe praised Isak’s contribution, particularly his performance in the first half. “It is huge and when he plays like he did in the first half, he is massive for us,” Howe said. “He showed his pace and the timing of the run was excellent. He’s a big player.”
Having reached his 50th Premier League goal in 76 matches, Isak joins an elite group of players who have achieved this milestone quickly. Here’s a look at the six players who reached 50 goals even faster than Isak:
5. Mohamed Salah – 72 games: The current Premier League top scorer, Mohamed Salah, scored his 50th goal in his second season with Liverpool. His achievement came in just 72 matches, with a brace in a 4-3 win over Crystal Palace at Anfield. Of his first 50 goals, 48 were for Liverpool, and the first two came while playing for Chelsea in 2014.
5. Fernando Torres – 72 games: Like Salah, Fernando Torres also reached 50 goals in 72 games during his time at Liverpool. His landmark goal was a dramatic 93rd-minute strike against Aston Villa in 2009, which secured a late win for Liverpool. Torres’ goal-scoring form declined after a £50 million move to Chelsea in 2011, but he ended his Premier League career with 85 goals.
4. Ruud van Nistelrooy – 68 games: The Dutch striker made an immediate impact upon joining Manchester United from PSV in 2001. His 50th Premier League goal came in a 2-1 comeback win against Newcastle at St James’ Park in 2003. Van Nistelrooy, known for his clinical finishing, scored a total of 95 goals in 150 Premier League matches, but a fallout with manager Sir Alex Ferguson led to his departure to Real Madrid in 2006.
3. Alan Shearer – 66 games: As the Premier League’s all-time top scorer, Alan Shearer was the first player to hit 50 goals after the league’s formation in 1992. He set the original record by scoring his 50th and 51st goals in just 66 games for Blackburn Rovers during a 3-0 win against Everton. Shearer went on to score 260 goals in the Premier League, a record that still stands today.
2. Andy Cole – 65 games: For many years, Andy Cole held the record for the fastest player to reach 50 Premier League goals. He hit the milestone in just 65 games, achieving it with a memorable five-goal haul in a 9-0 victory for Manchester United over Ipswich Town in 1995. Cole had already scored 43 Premier League goals for Newcastle before his move to Manchester United, where he went on to score 187 Premier League goals, the fourth-highest of all time.
1. Erling Haaland – 48 games: The record holder for the fastest 50 Premier League goals is Erling Haaland, who reached the milestone in just 48 games. The Norwegian striker, who joined Manchester City in 2022, set this record in his second season by scoring his 50th goal in a 1-1 draw with Liverpool during the 2023/24 campaign. Haaland’s remarkable goal-scoring ability helped Manchester City win their fourth consecutive Premier League title that season.
These players have demonstrated extraordinary goal-scoring prowess, with Haaland leading the way as the quickest to reach 50 Premier League goals.