The fight for the prized Premier League Golden Boot has resumed, with veteran superstars joining big-money summer newcomers in a battle to be crowned the English top-flight’s best goal scorer.
Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez, who recently joined Manchester City and Liverpool, are among those who have added their own skill sets to a group of world-class strikers that already includes Tottenham striker Harry Kane and Anfield talisman Mohamed Salah.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland set a new Premier League record with his 35th goal of the season, becoming the player with most goals in a single season. The record was previously held by Andy Cole and Alan Shearer, who both scored 34 goals in a 42-gameseason. Moreover, Haaland still has four games left in the season to add to his total.
Premier League race for 2022/23 top-scorer
Erling Haaland has a 9-goal advantage over Tottenham’s Harry Kane (26 goals), who has previously won the Premier League Golden Boot three times. Ivan Toney has reached the 20-goal milestone, while Mohamed Salah, who was joint-top scorer last season, has gradually risen to fourth place.
Meanwhile, Newcastle forwards Callum Wilson (15 goals) and Aleksandar Isak (10 goals) are surging up the standings, with the former scoring a brace against Southampton. Furthermore, Arsenal have four players in the top fifteen as well. With more goals galore expected in the last four games of the 2022-23 season, we analyse the race for the Golden Boot.
Erling Haaland (Manchester City, 35 goals)
Erling Haaland has made an immediate impact at Manchester City and is on course to set a new record for the most goals in a single Premier League season. The Norwegian’s move to Manchester City looked imminent as Guardiola’s side won that transfer lottery in 2022. At £51 million, the prolific striker might be the bargain of the season, with his track record indicating that he will have defenders running afraid.
Harry Kane (Tottenham, 26 goals)
Harry Kane, a three-time Premier League golden boot winner, surely knows how to score in the top tier better than most. Earlier this season, he became the first player in league’s history to score 100 away goals. The England captain had the World Cup to think about this season, but he will not let that deter him from chasing more goals at club level, and his clear ambition of dethroning Alan Shearer as the English top flight’s all-time topscorer.
Ivan Toney (Brentford, 20 goals)
Ivan Toney’s persistent efforts for Brentford finally drew Gareth Southgate’s attention in September 2022, with a first call-up to the England squad the only reward for his excellent goalscoring form. The Bees’ striker scored 33 goals to help Brentford gain promotion to the Premier League, and he added 14 more last season. Toney is a handful for any defence in the air and on the ground, and he is also quite useful at penalties.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, 19 goals)
Another veteran who knows how it feels to lift the Golden Boot. Mohamed Salah, a three-time Golden Boot winner, has lately eclipsed Steven Gerrard as Liverpool’s second best Premier League scorer. Only Robbie Fowler presently stands ahead of him. Last season, Mohamed Salah won his third Golden Boot – the second of which he shared with others. With a new contract, the Egyptian forward appears to be destined to stay the King of Anfield.
Marcus Rashford (Manchester United, 16 goals)
Marcus Rashford had a dismal season in 2021-22, scoring only five goals in all competitions, and he was looking to reignite his fire within in this new season, under a new coach. Regular appearances as a central striker for have helped the England lad, who has impressed under the leadership of Ten Hag, netting a brilliant 16 goals so far this season.
