Manchester City's evolution has been remarkable, transforming from a historically significant but often underachieving club to being regarded among the European elite and developing into a dominant force in the Premier League. As per Man City stats, their modern playing style, particularly under Pep Guardiola, is characterized by dominant possession, intricate passing, and relentless attacking football, with an aggressive edge. This success has been backed by an intelligent transfer strategy, bringing in transformative talents and Man City all-time top scorers. The signings, combined with a clear long-term vision and a significant amount of investment, have enabled City to build formidable squads capable of consistently competing for and winning the sport's biggest competitions, cementing their place among football's crème de la crème.
Manchester City Top Scorers of All Time:
Rank
Player
Goals
Appearances
Years
1
Sergio Agüero
260
390
2011–2021
2
Eric Brook
177
494
1927–1940
3
Tommy Johnson
166
355
1919–1930
4
Colin Bell
153
492
1966–1979
5
Joe Hayes
152
364
1953–1965
6
Billy Meredith
152
394
1894–1906, 1921–1924
7
Francis Lee
148
330
1967–1974
8
Fred Tilson
132
276
1928–1938
9
Raheem Sterling
131
339
2015–2022
10
Erling Haaland
126
146
2022–present
Billy Meredith and Joe Hayes share the same number of goals
10. Erling Haaland
One of the most lethal Manchester City top scorer, Erling Haaland is a powerful, direct centre-forward with incredible acceleration and devastating finishing ability. He uses his strength to brush off defenders and exhibits a remarkable calmness in front of the goal.
9. Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling is a dynamic winger with blistering pace and directness. Among Manchester City top scorers, Sterling thrived under Pep Guardiola. He consistently made intelligent runs into goal-scoring positions, often cutting in from wide areas. His improved finishing and ability to beat defenders made him a key attacking threat for years.
8. Fred Tilson
Per Man City Stats, he often partnered with Eric Brook, one of Man City all-time top scorers. Tilson was a clever inside-forward. He possessed excellent positional sense and clinical one-touch finishing. His intelligent movement created space for himself and teammates, making him a reliable and deadly goal scorer throughout the 1930s.
7. Francis Lee
Nicknamed "Lee Won Pen", due to his knack for burying spotkicks, Francis Lee was a fiery striker, famous for his competitive spirit and winning penalties. He combined aggression with clever movement, darting into channels and relentlessly pressuring defenders. His willingness to get into the thick of the action yielded many crucial goals.
6. Billy Meredith
Among Man City top scorers, Meredith was a winger with dazzling dribbling skills and an eye for goal. He created chances constantly, often with audacious runs down the flank, and possessed a surprising knack for finding the back of the net from wide areas.
5. Joe Hayes
A powerful centre-forward of the 1950s and 60s, Hayes was a classic number nine. He was renowned for his aerial prowess, strong hold-up play, and decisive finishing inside the area. His commitment and consistent goal tally made him a fan favourite for over a decade.
4. Colin Bell
"The King of the Kippax," Bell was an athletic and tireless box-to-box midfielder. Looking at Man City statistics, He possessed incredible stamina, driving runs from deep, and an uncanny ability to arrive in the box to score. His all-encompassing style and leadership defined City's successful era in the late 60s.
3. Tommy Johnson
A centre-forward of the post-WWI era, Johnson held City's single-season scoring record for decades. He was a classic poacher, always in the right place at the right time. His robust physique and clinical finishing made him a feared presence in the penalty area.
2. Eric Brook
A true City legend, Brook was a powerful winger with thunderous shooting ability. He was known for his direct running, exceptional goal-scoring instinct, and often cut inside to unleash powerful efforts. His longevity and consistent output were remarkable for his time.
1. Sergio Agüero
Sergio Aguero sits on top of the Man City all time top scorers list. Though retired, the Argentine striker is still the highest goal scorer in the club's history. Aguero was known for his incredible agility and lethal finishing. Manchester City statistics say he was often used as a false nine, dropping deep then bursting forward, consistently finding space in the box; Cutting skills and sharp turns made him a nightmare for defenders. Kun redefined modern striking at City.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Manchester City's all-time top scorer?
+
Sergio Agüero, with 260 goals in 390 appearances.
How many total goals have Manchester City scored across all competitions?
+
Manchester City have scored 3,540 goals in 2,312 matches.
When did Manchester City win their first UEFA Champions League title?
+
In the 2022–23 season.
What’s City’s best Premier League season so far?
+
The 2017–18 season, where they reached 100 points.
Who knocked Manchester City out of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup?