Billy Sharp surpasses Rickie Lambert as English football's highest scorer this century with 220th strike during Sheffield United's 3-0 win at Wigan Billy Sharp scored Sheffield United's third in their New Year's Day win at Wigan That strike was the 32-year-old's 220th in English football this century He is now one goal ahead of former striker Rickie Lambert (219) in the standings By Luke Augustus for MailOnline Published: 17:17 GMT, 2 January 2019 | Updated: 17:21 GMT, 2 January 2019 Viewcomments Billy Sharp has broken many records during his prolific career and the Sheffield United marksman did so once again on New Year's Day. The Blades' captain got 2019 off to a perfect start by scoring their third in a 3-0 win at Championship rivals Wigan Athletic. The 32-year-old's goal came after he beat Latics goalkeeper Christian Walton from close range with a clinical finish on 54 minutes. Billy Sharp made history by becoming English football's leading scoring this century Sharp has surpassed Rickie Lambert - who scored 219 goals in English football this century That strike was Sharp's 220th in English football this century - a figure that now sees him out in front of his contemporaries. Tuesday's goal saw him go one past former England international Rickie Lambert who scored 219 goals this century for the likes of Bristol Rovers and Southampton. Speaking about the landmark, Sharp was clearly chuffed. 'It is a great personal achievement,' the Championship's joint-top goalscorer, with 16 strikes in 24 games, told BBC Radio 5 live. The 32-year-old wheels away in celebration after scoring Sheffield United's third at Wigan TOP GOALSCORERS IN ENGLISH FOOTBALL THIS CENTURY Billy Sharp - 220 Rickie Lambert - 219 Wayne Rooney - 208 Jermain Defoe - 191 Frank Lampard - 158 Sergio Aguero - 152 Harry Kane - 121 'Rickie was a great goalscorer so it was nice to finally catch him. Hopefully I can keep scoring so no-one can catch me. 'My dad is the one who tells me everything I need to know - he has a stat for every game. I knew what the next goal meant. 'Alan Shearer and Michael Owen were my two favourite players and I always try to get in the right areas. It has become a knack and I enjoy doing it.' Wayne Rooney (208), Jermain Defoe (191) and Frank Lampard (158) complete the top five list. Sharp will be hoping to extend his tally when third-placed Sheffield United host QPR on January 12. Sharp will be hoping to add to his tally when Sheffield United host QPR on January 12 Read more: Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility