Erling Haaland is a glitch in the matrix. Seriously, if you've been watching the 2025/26 campaign, it feels like we’re just playing for second place at this point. Even with a weirdly quiet January where he's gone three straight matches without a goal—a "slump" by his ridiculous standards—the big Norwegian is sitting pretty at the top.
He's already bagged 20 goals for Manchester City.
Think about that. We aren't even out of January yet, and he's already hit a milestone most strikers would sell their souls for in a full season. But while the headline is always about the blond cyborg in Manchester, the real story of the premier league top goal scorers this season is actually happening just below him. There’s a chaotic mix of new arrivals, resurgent veterans, and some genuinely confusing transfer moves that have shaken up the Golden Boot race.
The Chasing Pack: Igor Thiago and the Brentford Surprise
If you had Igor Thiago on your bingo card for second place this late in the season, you’re either a genius or a liar. The Brentford man has been clinical.
With 16 goals to his name, he is the only person even remotely within touching distance of Haaland. What’s wild is that five of those came from the penalty spot. He’s become the ultimate "ice in the veins" guy for Thomas Frank. While Haaland relies on that City machine to feed him, Thiago is often scrapping for half-chances and turning them into gold. It’s been a massive statement from a player many thought would take longer to adjust to the English pace.
💡 You might also like: Por qué los partidos de Primera B de Chile son más entretenidos que la división de honor
Then you have the strange case of Antoine Semenyo. He’s sitting on 10 goals, but his season has been a bit of a whirlwind. He started the year terrorizing defenders for Bournemouth before Manchester City decided they needed even more firepower and brought him to the Etihad. It’s a bit of an "embarrassment of riches" situation for Pep Guardiola, especially when you consider Phil Foden is also chipping in with 7 goals.
The Mid-Table Predators
It isn't just the title contenders getting in on the action. Look at Leeds United. They’ve managed to find a version of Dominic Calvert-Lewin that actually stays on the pitch, and the results are obvious: 9 goals. He’s been the focal point of a Leeds attack that looks way more dangerous than anyone predicted back in August.
Behind him, we have a massive logjam of players on 8 goals:
- Hugo Ekitiké (Liverpool): Taking over the mantle from Mo Salah, who has had a much slower start this year and is now away for AFCON duty.
- Danny Welbeck (Brighton): The man simply refuses to go away. At 35, he’s having a genuine Indian summer on the South Coast.
- Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace): Still the main man at Selhurst Park despite the constant transfer rumors.
- Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle): Proving that he’s much more than just a midfield enforcer by crashing the box and finishing like a seasoned number nine.
What's Wrong With the Usual Suspects?
Honestly, the biggest shock when looking at the premier league top goal scorers this season isn't who's there—it's who isn't.
📖 Related: South Carolina women's basketball schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
Mohamed Salah only has 4 goals. Yeah, you read that right. After winning the Golden Boot last season with 29 goals, the Egyptian King has looked human this year. Between a change in tactical role under the new Liverpool regime and the looming distraction of the Africa Cup of Nations, he just hasn't found his rhythm.
And what about Cole Palmer? Last season's breakout star at Chelsea has only managed 4 goals so far. It’s a classic case of second-season syndrome, or maybe just the fact that every defender in the league now knows they can't give him an inch of space. Chelsea as a whole have been a bit of a mess in front of goal, with João Pedro actually leading their charts with 7 goals since his move.
The "Seven Goal" Club
There is a massive group of players stuck on 7 goals, waiting for a hot streak to break into the top five.
- Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa): Reliable as ever, though he's sharing the load with Morgan Rogers (also on 7).
- Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United): His move to Old Trafford was one of the biggest stories of the summer, and while he's been good, United fans are desperate for him to turn those 7 goals into 17.
- Richarlison (Tottenham): Spurs have been inconsistent, and while the Brazilian is working hard, he hasn't quite hit the heights of the league's elite finishers this term.
- Nick Woltemade (Newcastle): A bit of a surprise package who has complemented Guimarães perfectly.
Navigating the Second Half of the Season
If you're trying to figure out who to back for the rest of the year, ignore the raw totals for a second and look at the context. Haaland is the favorite for a reason—he plays for a team that creates the most "Big Chances" in Europe. However, with the Champions League knockouts looming, Pep will inevitably rotate. We saw it recently when Haaland was subbed off early against Brighton, much to his visible annoyance.
👉 See also: Scores of the NBA games tonight: Why the London Game changed everything
Igor Thiago is the "volume" play. He is the undisputed main man at Brentford. If they get a penalty, he takes it. If they cross the ball, it's for him. He doesn't have to share the glory like the guys at City or Arsenal (where Trossard and Gyökeres are leading with just 5 goals each).
Speaking of Arsenal, they are actually leading the league but don't have a single player in the top ten for goals. It’s total "goal-sharing" football. Great for winning titles, terrible for winning Golden Boots.
Key Factors for the Run-In
- AFCON Absence: Salah and other key attackers will be missing for several weeks, which basically ends their hopes of catching the leaders.
- The "Semenyo Effect": Now that he's at City, will he steal Haaland's goals or just provide more assists? Early signs suggest he’s a threat in his own right.
- Injury Returns: Keep an eye on Alexander Isak. He’s had a nightmare season with fitness, but if he gets a run of 10 games, he could easily rocket up the list.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the race for the premier league top goal scorers this season, the smart money is obviously on Haaland, but the value is in the "Top Scorer (Without Haaland)" markets.
Watch the "Expected Goals" (xG) trends. Igor Thiago is actually overperforming his xG significantly thanks to those penalties, while someone like Ollie Watkins is underperforming. History suggests Watkins will eventually go on a tear to balance those numbers out.
Monitor the transfer window. With the January window still active, a single move—like a desperate club overpaying for a striker like Mateta—could completely change the scoring dynamics for two different teams.
Keep an eye on the minutes played. Haaland's goals-per-minute ratio remains the gold standard, but the gap is narrowing as City manages his workload for the treble push. If you're looking for the next big thing, watch Eli Junior Kroupi at Bournemouth. He's only 19 and has 7 goals already; he's the real deal.