If you’ve been watching the Premier League this season, you already know the vibe. It’s chaotic. It’s loud. It’s the kind of season where a striker can go from a "flop" to a "phenom" in the span of three weekends. But one question always cuts through the noise: who is top scorer in english premier league right now?
Honestly, the answer shouldn't shock you, but the gap might. Erling Haaland is currently sitting at the top of the mountain with 20 goals in just 21 appearances. He's basically a glitch in the Matrix at this point. While everyone else is fighting for scraps, the Manchester City cyborg is averaging nearly a goal every single game.
But it’s not just a one-man show. This year has some wild storylines—new faces in the top five and some legends actually struggling to keep pace. Let’s break down the actual state of the 2025-26 Golden Boot race.
The Erling Haaland Problem
City’s number nine isn't just scoring; he’s demoralizing defenses. If you look at the stats, he has 20 goals, and only two of those came from the penalty spot. That is terrifying. It means he’s finding the net in open play with a frequency that makes the 1990s Alan Shearer era look like a warm-up.
Haaland has been incredibly consistent. He put two past United back in September, bagged a couple against Everton in October, and most recently notched one against Brighton on January 7, 2026. The man is inevitable. If he stays healthy, we aren't just talking about a Golden Boot; we’re talking about him shattering his own records again.
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The Surprise Contender: Igor Thiago
If you had Igor Thiago on your bingo card for second place in January, you're a liar. Or a Brentford scout. The Bees’ striker has been a revelation. He’s currently sitting on 16 goals.
Now, context matters here. Thiago has tucked away five penalties, which definitely helps the tally, but you still have to score them. His hat-trick recently had the internet in a frenzy. He’s the primary reason Brentford is punching way above their weight class this year.
Who Is Top Scorer in English Premier League: The Current Leaderboard
Behind the big two, there’s a bit of a logjam. It’s a mix of established Premier League names and a few guys who have finally found their shooting boots.
- Antoine Semenyo (Man City): This one is interesting. With 10 goals, he’s proving to be the perfect foil for Haaland. Imagine having to mark Haaland only for Semenyo to ghost in at the back post. It's unfair.
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds): Leeds fans are loving this. After a couple of injury-plagued years, DCL is back. He’s got 9 goals and looks like the powerhouse striker we saw a few seasons ago.
- The 8-Goal Pack: We’ve got a massive tie here. Hugo Ekitiké at Liverpool, Danny Welbeck (who seemingly never ages) at Brighton, Jean-Philippe Mateta at Palace, and Bruno Guimarães at Newcastle are all sitting on 8 goals.
It's wild to see Bruno G up there. He’s a midfielder, for crying out loud. But Newcastle has been utilizing him much higher up the pitch this season, and it's paying off big time.
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What’s going on with Mohamed Salah?
This is the big shocker for many. Salah, who won the Golden Boot last year with 29 goals, is having a... quiet year by his standards. He’s currently on 4 goals in 14 appearances.
Is he finished? Doubtful. But Liverpool’s system has shifted under the latest tactical tweaks, and Hugo Ekitiké has become the focal point of the attack. Salah is still creating—he’s got a handful of assists—but in terms of the pure "who is top scorer in english premier league" conversation, he’s currently an outsider.
The All-Time Perspective
Whenever we talk about the current top scorer, the ghosts of the past start appearing. Alan Shearer’s 260 goals still feels like the "unreachable" number, but Haaland is eating into that at a rate that is frankly rude.
Harry Kane is still second on the all-time list with 213, and Wayne Rooney is third at 208. Salah is currently fourth with 190 goals. Even in a "down" season, Mo is moving up the historic ranks. One more decent run of form and he could be breathing down Rooney's neck by the end of May.
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What to Watch for in the Second Half
The Golden Boot isn't won in January. It’s won in the muddy, grueling weeks of March and April when the Champions League starts draining the big teams.
Keep an eye on Igor Thiago. If Brentford's form dips, his service might dry up. On the flip side, watch for Phil Foden or Ollie Watkins to go on one of those "six goals in four games" tears. Watkins is currently sitting on 7, just waiting for a hot streak.
Also, look at the "Minutes Per Goal" metric. Junior Kroupi at Bournemouth is actually scoring every 82 minutes. He only has 7 goals because he hasn't played as many minutes as Haaland, but he is incredibly efficient. If he gets more starts, he could fly up this list.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're following the race for who is top scorer in english premier league, here’s how to stay ahead of the curve:
- Track the xG (Expected Goals): Haaland is actually slightly over-performing his xG (18.52 xG vs 20 actual goals), which means he's finishing difficult chances. If his xG stays high, the goals won't stop.
- Watch the Penalty Takers: In a tight race, penalties are king. Igor Thiago’s reliance on them makes him vulnerable if Brentford stops getting calls.
- Monitor the Rotation: Man City's deep bench means Haaland might sit out a few "easy" games to save legs for Europe. This is the only way the rest of the pack catches him.
Check the official Premier League app or sites like FotMob every Monday morning. The rankings change almost every matchday, and with the way this season is going, a hat-trick from a random mid-table striker could change the entire conversation by next week.