Cristiano Ronaldo can lay claim to yet another major achievement.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Ronaldo netted a hat-trick to lead Manchester United to a 3-2 win over Tottenham in the English Premier League on Sunday (NZ time).
The all-time top goalscorer title in football is much contested and Fifa does not keep an official record, but the world governing body estimates that Austro-Czech Josef Bican netted 805 goals during a career that lasted from 1931 to '55.
Ronaldo's 12th-minute opener at Old Trafford was a superb strike from distance that helped him equal the record.
The Portugal international then went past Bican with a tap in from Jadon Sancho's neat pass to put United 2-1 in front before powerfully heading home his third to spark wild celebrations in the stands.
It was the 59th hat-trick of Ronaldo's career and his first for the Old Trafford side since 2008 following his return.
Ronaldo's goals have been scored for Sporting, United, Real Madrid, Juventus and the Portugal national team.
The Czech FA has said that Bican's total was actually 821 goals following a review of his statistics.
Brazilian strikers Pele and Romario each scored more than 1,000 goals during their careers, but those statistics include strikes in amateur, unofficial and friendly matches.
Meanwhile Liverpool kept up the chase with Premier League leaders Manchester City by winning 2-0 at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Luis Diaz connected with a fine ball from Joel Matip to head Liverpool ahead in the 19th minute before Mohamed Salah scored from the spot, following a handball by Yves Bissouma, for his 20th goal of the season.
Liverpool's win at Brighton's Amex Stadium was their eighth straight league victory and cut the gap to league leaders Manchester City to three points.
Pep Guardiola's City side have 69 points with Liverpool on 66 but City can restore their advantage to six when they travel to Crystal Palace on Tuesday.
Brentford's in-form striker Ivan Toney scored a brace to bring up five goals in his last two Premier League games, as the promoted side beat struggling Burnley 2-0 to move further away from the relegation zone.
Toney, who netted a hat-trick in Brentford's 3-1 win over Norwich City last time out, headed in a superb left-footed cross from playmaker Christian Eriksen to put his team ahead in the 85th minute.
His second goal in stoppage time was a powerful penalty following a foul by centre back Nathan Collins, who was shown a straight red card for a clumsy tackle inside the penalty area.
The result moved Brentford nine points above the drop zone in a boost to their quest to remain in the English top-flight while 18th Burnley suffered their third straight defeat.
- Reuters/RNZ