Haaland or Newcomer: Golden Boot Battle Intensifies

As the 2025–26 English Premier League season reaches its midpoint, the focus is not only on team performances but also on the race for the prestigious Golden Boot. Football fans across the globe are closely watching who will finish as the league’s top scorer. The contest has grown increasingly tense, with established stars and rising talents vying for supremacy.

At the forefront is Manchester City’s Norwegian striker Erling Haaland. With 22 goals to his name, he currently leads the scoring charts, seeking his third Golden Boot in four consecutive seasons. Although Haaland endured a seven-match scoring drought earlier this season, he has returned to form with two goals in the last two matches. On average, he finds the net every 97.5 minutes, underlining his relentless consistency. While surpassing his personal best of 36 goals in a single season appears challenging, he remains the favourite to claim the award once again.

Historically, only Thierry Henry and Mohamed Salah have lifted the Golden Boot four times, placing Haaland on the path to join this elite company. Yet, he faces a serious challenge from Igor Thiago of Brentford, whose 17-goal tally, including six penalties, has made him the second-highest scorer and one of the breakout sensations of the season. No other contender in the top five has previously won the Golden Boot, highlighting the emergence of fresh talent in the league.

Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo is also enjoying a career-best run. Out of his 13 goals, 10 were scored while at former club AFC Bournemouth. Since joining City, he has netted three goals in his first five matches, directly challenging Haaland for attacking honours. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s stars Cole Palmer and João Pedro have combined for nine goals over the past five weeks, with Palmer converting four of his five goals from penalties.

Tactical changes by Chelsea’s new manager Liam Rosenior and Manchester United’s Michael Carrick have significantly impacted the scoring charts. Rosenior has deployed João Pedro as a central striker, yielding impressive returns, while Carrick’s decision to play Bryan Mbeumo as a central forward has seen him score against top clubs including City, Arsenal, and Tottenham, elevating his profile.

Below is a snapshot of the current top scorers:

As the season progresses, the Golden Boot race promises even greater drama. Whether Haaland will maintain his dominance or a new star will rise to claim the coveted award remains one of the most compelling storylines of the Premier League season.