The Manchester City goal machine has registered 42 goals and nine assists in 39 appearances, four fewer than United hero Coles feat. Haalands 70th-minute penalty in Saturdays 5-1 win over Fulham saw him reach the landmark.
The Norway star had grabbed his first of the game 12 minutes earlier after supplying Julian Alvarez for Citys opener, before completing his hat-trick in added time. It means he sits on five goals for the season in four Premier League matches.
Haaland broke Coles top-flight goals record last season with his 36 goals, and ended up with an astonishing 52 goals in 53 matches in all competitions.
Reacting to Haaland breaking his record earlier this year, Cole said: “My record is seen as nothing because someone has broken it – but Haaland can&apost be greater than the first person who set the record.
“It&aposs like Neil Armstrong who was the first man who landed on the moon. He was the greatest because he was the first man to do it. You can&apost be greater than the first individual who set those standards.
