Sports
What could stop Haaland breaking Shearer’s Premier League goal record?
Erling Haaland has become the fastest-ever player to score 100 Premier League goals, hitting that mark in his 111th appearance for Manchester City against Fulham earlier this month.
In just under 3½ seasons at the Etihad, the 25-year-old has already climbed to 34th position in the Premier League’s all-time scoring charts — Cristiano Ronaldo sits in 33rd on 103 goals — and it seems inevitable that he will join Wayne Rooney (208), Harry Kane (213) and Alan Shearer (260) in the 200-club in record time.
Former Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United forward Shearer remains way out in front as the Premier League’s all-time top scorer — the ex-England captain’s overall top-flight tally is 283 goals due to 23 scored for Southampton before the Premier League began in 1992-93 — but even that record now appears to be in Haaland’s sights. The striker even admitted after reaching his century: “I know about it. But I don’t think too much about it.”
But can the Norway forward, who is contracted to City until the end of the 2033-34 season, really overhaul Shearer at the top of the tree?
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At his current pace, Haaland would have to score 25 goals a season for the next six seasons to come close to breaking Shearer’s record. Even if he takes another 8½ seasons — the remaining years on his contract — Haaland would still need to be averaging around 18 league goals a season.
For a striker of Haaland’s incredible consistency, the 260-goal target seems well within reach. Still, there are five key obstacles that he must overcome if he is to overtake Shearer as the greatest goal scorer in Premier League history.
Injuries
No player is immune to injury, and the threat of a long-term layoff due to a serious injury is the nightmare scenario for every player.
The truly elite players, such as Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, and Mohamed Salah, have all enjoyed relatively injury-free careers. To date, Haaland’s longest layoff was a 54-day foot injury absence during the 2023-24 season, which saw him miss 11 City games in all competitions.
But the top three in the Premier League goal-scorers list have all seen their overall tallies impacted by lengthy injury problems.
Both Rooney and Kane missed large chunks of action, with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur respectively due to a variety of injuries — Rooney was twice laid off with a metatarsal injury while Kane had a series of ankle layoffs — while Shearer missed almost two full seasons with serious injuries at Blackburn and Newcastle.
A cruciate ligament injury at Blackburn when he was just 22 years old and damaged ankle ligaments at Newcastle five years later, sidelined Shearer for a total of 431 days when he was in his prime. Shearer has since said that the ankle injury changed his game forever and “cost me half-a-yard of pace.”
Those injuries potentially cost Shearer between 30 to 50 Premier League goals, so a similar setback for Haaland could knock him off course in his bid to topple Shearer, both in terms of time out of the game and the impact it may have on his physical ability.
Form
Every striker endures a goal drought during their career and most battle to overcome them each season.
Haaland, by contrast, has displayed incredible consistency ever since scoring the first goal of his career as an 18-year-old for Norwegian team Molde in July 2018, and his longest run without a Premier League goal for City extends to just four games between December and January during the 2023-24 season.
In fact, that run was two games either side of the seven-week layoff with a foot injury that remains his longest absence, so when he has been fit and firing, Haaland’s longest Premier League drought has been several three-game periods.
If he can maintain that consistency, Haaland will surely overhaul Shearer within the next five to six seasons, especially with him still being in the early peak years of his career.
But form can evaporate, even for the best strikers, and how Haaland handles the inevitability of a longer loss of form than he has previously suffered will be a key pointer as to when, or if, he breaks Shearer’s record.
The Guardiola factor
Manchester City’s success over the past decade has coincided with Pep Guardiola’s reign as manager — he arrived at the Etihad in July 2016 — and his presence at the club was a crucial, perhaps even deciding, factor in Haaland choosing City when he had an array of teams chasing him when he left Borussia Dortmund in 2022.
While Guardiola remains at City, it is difficult to envisage the team sliding out of contention for the major honors, so Haaland has nothing to worry about in terms of playing for a competitive team.
But the big question over City’s future, and Haaland’s, is about what happens when Guardiola decides to move on. The 54-year-old is under contract until June 2027, but he has made contradictory statements about whether he will leave the club on expiry or whether he will sign a new deal.
Yet once Guardiola vacates the stage, will the appeal of playing for a new coach work for Haaland or will it be the moment to consider his own future?
A quick recollection of Manchester United’s decline following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 may set alarm bells ringing for Haaland, but Liverpool‘s ability to win the Premier League under Arne Slot last season following Jürgen Klopp’s exit a year earlier offers a more positive scenario for a post-Pep era at City.
But make no mistake, once Guardiola leaves City, it will leave Haaland with a big decision of his own about whether to stay or go.
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The 115 charges
It is now more than a year since a hearing into the Premier League charges against City for 115 alleged breaches of financial regulations was heard by a panel of judges — it actually concluded after 12 weeks in early December 2024 — but all parties are still waiting for a decision to be announced.
City deny all charges, but if the verdict goes against the club, a range of disciplinary options are available to the Premier League, ranging from substantial fines, points deductions and the ultimate threat of expulsion from the competition.
If the worst-case scenario of expulsion is applied to City, Haaland’s future will be just one of many issues within an existential crisis for the club.
But if City are punished with points deductions that cost them a place in the UEFA Champions League or hit with a financial penalty that forces them to offload players to balance the books, Haaland’s future at the club will come into serious doubt.
The flipside for City is that, if they are vindicated and exonerated by the panel, the club will likely invest heavily in the squad and that will only make them stronger and a much more attractive proposition for Haaland.
The lure of LaLiga
Ever since Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan took control of City with his takeover in September 2008, the club has had a remarkable record in terms of holding onto its best players.
None of City’s top stars have been lured away from the Etihad by LaLiga giants Real Madrid or Barcelona during their peak years and that is because the Premier League club have been able to offer both ongoing success and huge wages to keep their players happy at the club.
But over the years, Manchester United have lost Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ronaldo to Real Madrid, Arsenal couldn’t stop Thierry Henry moving to Barcelona and Liverpool have seen Luis Suárez (Barcelona) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real) leave Anfield for LaLiga’s superpower clubs.
And despite his lifelong affinity to Spurs, Harry Kane shelved his attempt at taking Shearer’s record by moving to the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich in 2024.
Madrid and Barça are the two clubs most likely to appeal to Haaland, though, and both would make a move should he signal an interest in a move to Spain.
With Robert Lewandowski now 37, Barca will be scouting for a replacement for the Poland international sooner rather than later, so City may need to brace themselves for an approach from Spain for their biggest star long before his contract expires.
So, will Haaland eclipse Shearer?
Despite all of the obstacles that Haaland may have to clear, it seems a certainty that he will break Shearer’s record if he remains at City for the duration of his contract.
Even if he suffers injury and a prolonged loss of form, Haaland still has eight-and-a-half years on his City contract, so it would be unthinkable for him to fail to topple Shearer.
But whether he is prepared to stay at City for that length of time, especially with the uncertainty over Guardiola and the 115 charges, is the biggest question mark over Haaland breaking the record.
The likeliest outcome? Haaland will quickly get to 200 goals, but the appeal of a new challenge elsewhere will prove more tantalising than the chance to break Shearer’s record.
So for now, Shearer’s record might just be safer than everyone thinks.
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When the NASCAR Cup Series went to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600 in 2025, Ross Chastain got into Victory Lane after closing at +1800 to be the outright winner.
Chastain’s impressive win came after leading only eight laps on the day.
Which driver will take the checkered flag when the series goes back to Charlotte Motor Speedway on Memorial Day Weekend for one of NASCAR’s Crown Jewels?
Here are the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of May 24.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600
Denny Hamlin: +380 (bet $10 to win $48 total)
Tyler Reddick: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)
Kyle Larson: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
Christopher Bell: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
Chase Briscoe: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
William Byron: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)
Carson Hocevar: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)
Ryan Blaney: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Chase Elliott: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Brad Keselowski: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total)
Ty Gibbs: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Ross Chastain: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)
Chris Buescher: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Bubba Wallace: +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)
Alex Bowman: +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)
Austin Dillon: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Joey Logano: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Connor Zilisch: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Austin Hill: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Austin Cindric: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
Ryan Preece: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Michael McDowell: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Corey Heim: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Erik Jones: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
Shane van Gisbergen: +13000 (bet $10 to win $1,310 total)
AJ Allmendinger: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)
Daniel Suarez: +17000 (bet $10 to win $1,710 total)
Josh Berry: +18000 (bet $10 to win $1,810 total)
John Hunter Nemechek: +25000 (bet $10 to win $2,510 total)
Zane Smith: +35000 (bet $10 to win $3,510 total)
Ty Dillon: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Noah Gragson: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Todd Gilliland: +60000 (bet $10 to win $6,010 total)
Riley Herbst: +60000 (bet $10 to win $6,010 total)
Cole Custer: +80000 (bet $10 to win $8,010 total)
Katherine Legge: +90000 (bet $10 to win $9,010 total)
Timmy Hill: +100000 (bet $10 to win $10,010 total)
Cody Ware: +100000 (bet $10 to win $10,010 total)
Here’s what to know about the oddsboard:
The Favorite
Denny Hamlin is coming in hot off an All-Star Race win at Dover. And while it wasn’t a points race, coming into Charlotte after starting from the pole and leading 103 laps in last week’s exhibition could give him the momentum he needs to grab the checkered flag at the Coke 600. His first and only win at this race came in 2022. In 2025, he started 20th but finished 16th after posting the best lap of the day at 29.37 and leading 53 laps.
One to Watch
Tyler Reddick is having an incredible season. He’s gotten into Victory Lane five times, including the first three races of the year. Cup qualifying got rained out, so Reddick will start from the pole today at Charlotte in accordance with league rules. On the season, Reddick has led 201 laps and has eight finishes in the top five. In 2025, he finished the Coca-Cola 600 26th after leading only one lap.
Sports
WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella opens up about what she wants fans to remember her for when she retires
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One of the best things to debate amongst friends is where professional athletes of a particular sport rank all time. Some make top 10 lists, others go by the Mount Rushmore rule.
Pro wrestling fans are no different. Championships, legacy and impact on the sport matter to those who take the time to watch wrestling 3-6 times per week for decades. How pro wrestlers are remembered by their fans is important to them.
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Nikki Bella confronts Becky Lynch during Monday Night RAW at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Aug. 4, 2025. (Michael Marques/WWE)
For WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella, she suggested in an interview with Fox News Digital that her championship accolades should be put aside. Using her voice to have an effect on someone watching her in an arena or at home is more important.
“I would love definitely to be remembered as fearless, as someone who wasn’t scared to use her voice, someone who wasn’t scared to pave the ways, someone who wasn’t scared to stand up to all the hate, who can still be her even when people try to tear you down,” Bella said, who became the Chief Margarita Officer for Madam Paleta Tequila earlier in the week. “What I’ve realized, and this is in any industry and this is throughout time, it’s never easy to be first or be the loudest about something. And there’s so many people who helped pave the way before us but when you’re at the forefront or when you’re at the face of that, you take on everything that comes with it – hate, love, support, everything.
WWE STAR LIV MORGAN OPENS UP ABOUT HER LEGACY, WHAT SHE WANTS TO BE REMEMBERED FOR
Nikki Bella returns to Monday Night RAW at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Ariz., on June 9, 2025. (Craig Ambrosio/WWE)
“I think that’s where I truly live up to being ‘Fearless’ Nikki, I just don’t stop. Even when I’m not at my best or when I’m at my greatest. I hope at the end of the day, people can look back and respect that too – even the ones who can be so disrespectful. They see things in such a different way and they really just don’t know. I hope to be remembered as that over anything.”
Bella said she understood that fans will look at her titles and accolades overall when she eventually decides to step away from action for good.
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She was a two-time Divas champion, including holding the championship for a record 300 days, and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame with her sister, Brie Bella, in 2020.
She stressed, however, that the impact she made was held in high regard above everything else.
“I get some people get hooked on champion numbers, like 13 time, 10 time, five time, you know, for me, it’s always been about impact,” she told Fox News Digital. “And if the people tuning in, I was able to change some people’s lives. Maybe they were being raised in a not great home and I gave them the ability to be fearless and to use their voice to know they could be someone great one day, to me, that’s being a champion and that’s what I’d love to be more than anything. I look at my Bella Army and they are my true accomplishment.
Nikki Bella addresses the crowd during SmackDown at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., on March 13, 2026. (Bradlee Rutledge/WWE)
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“That is better than any championship I could ever win, ever.”
SYDNEY: As Twenty20 cricket competitions explode around the world, Australia’s Big Bash League is struggling to chart a vision for the future, after plans to privatise its franchises stalled.
Cricket Australia chief Todd Greenberg is adamant that outside investment is necessary to shore up the game’s financial future and keep pace with a boom in other well-funded leagues played in a similar time slot.
They include the UAE’s ILT20, South Africa’s SA20, and New Zealand’s privately-backed NZ20 scheduled to start in December 2027, all bidding for the best local and overseas players.
“If those salary caps (of other leagues) are significantly higher than ours over the coming years, and players can earn more in those areas, then players will follow those. That’s a real risk to us,” Greenberg told local media.
“I want to make sure that for Australian cricket, our ambition is to have a league that runs at the key part of the year for us, which is the December-January window, and it’s the best T20 league in the world at that moment in time.
“To do that, we have to have a significant amount of money in our salary caps to attract not only the best players from overseas, but to retain and attract our own best players.”
He added: “The concept of bringing private capital to cricket is inevitable at some point.”
While not a direct competitor as it runs in a different window, the benchmark Indian Premier League has seen massive success thanks to wealthy benefactors, with England’s The Hundred also on a roll after an influx of private capital.
But it is a thorny issue in Australia with an initial proposal to sell stakes in each of BBL’s eight teams stalling last month amid concerns about a loss of control for the game’s local custodians.
While the Victorian, Western Australian and Tasmanian cricket associations voiced support and South Australia said it was open to the idea, New South Wales and Queensland rejected the move.
Queensland Cricket, which controls the Brisbane Heat, said it was worried about player payments skyrocketing to unsustainable levels, and that private owners may not be as invested in the grassroots game.
Cricket NSW, which operates the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder, was similarly concerned that it could be detrimental to how the sport is governed and how local players are produced.
‘Sugar hit’
There are also fears about an Indian takeover, with the most likely buyers seen as the rich IPL team owners who have invested in other short-form competitions around the globe.
Former Australian captain Greg Chappell is in the “No” camp, arguing that the BBL belongs to the states and communities that have built it into a successful and well-attended product.
While acknowledging the commercial realities, he said selling it off was not the answer.
“The moment you introduce private ownership at scale, you introduce a set of priorities that may not always align with the long-term health of the game,” he wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald.
“Private investors, however well-intentioned, answer to shareholders, not to Australian cricket.”
Andrew Jones, a former head of strategy at Cricket Australia who was instrumental in the launch of the BBL, is similarly unconvinced.
“A one-off sale is a sugar hit, not a solution,” he said in The Australian newspaper, arguing that revenues can be better grown through sponsorships, wagering, ticketing, and more focus on commercialising the women’s game.
Despite scepticism, Greenberg remains confident and is now eyeing a hybrid ownership model.
This would allow the BBL franchises keen to sell stakes to do so while allowing those against to maintain complete ownership.
“If we end up not going together at the same time, can we still extract the same level of revenue, and can we extract the same level of value?” he said.
“I think we can, but I’ve got to do the work to satisfy a recommendation that would ultimately go to the members and our board.”
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