Erling Haaland failed to score on the Premier League opening weekend for the first time in his career in 2026–27.
Haaland played for Manchester City in their 2–1 comeback victory over Bournemouth on Sunday, 23 August 2026. Bournemouth took the lead through Marcus Tavernier, but City recovered with goals from Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol. Haaland did not get on the scoresheet.
The result ended Bournemouth’s 18-match unbeaten Premier League run and began Enzo Maresca’s reign as Manchester City manager with a win. Haaland’s blank was unusual because he had scored in every previous Premier League opening weekend of his career.
The fact concerns the opening weekend specifically, not every opening match in every competition. Haaland remained among the league’s leading scorers later in the season, but this particular Matchweek 1 marked the first time he had failed to score in the Premier League’s opening round.