2022/23 was all about Erling Haaland, who scored goals at a rate previously unforeseen in the Premier League.
A relatively slow conclusion to the season came after the Nordic machine had smashed the single-season scoring record, with his brilliance overshadowing Harry Kane's stellar individual campaign while carrying a distinctly mediocre Tottenham team.
Haaland won't have Kane to worry about as he goes in search of his second consecutive Golden Boot, with the Englishman opting for a new beginning in Bavaria after departing Spurs with Alan Shearer's Premier League all-time scoring record still intact.
With Kane gone, can anyone else step up and compete with Haaland for the scoring title? Here are the current Premier League Golden Boot standings.
CURRENT PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE, TOP SCORERS & FIXTURES
Premier League 2023/24 leading scorers
8. Odsonne Edouard (Crystal Palace)
Games played: 4
Goals scored: 3
The Frenchman had played just a bit-part role for Palace after joining from Celtic in 2021, although it looked as if he'd score a hatful after bagging a brace off the bench on debut against Tottenham.
Edouard, though, scored just eight times in over 60 Premier League appearances following his productive debut. However, with Wilfried Zaha out the door and Michael Olise sidelined through injury, his importance to the Eagles has increased considerably at the start of 2023/24.
His season has begun promisingly, with Edouard scoring twice in Palace's 3-2 victory over Wolves.
7. Solly March (Brighton)
Games played: 4
Goals scored: 3
March is loving life under Roberto De Zerbi. Once regarded as a handy squad player on the south coast, March has developed into a bona fide star with the Italian at the helm.
12 of his 14 goal contributions last season came after De Zerbi replaced Graham Potter, and he's started 2023/24 in fine fettle with his campaign starting with three goals in Brighton's opening two games.
6. Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
Games played: 4
Goals scored: 3
After losing his best mate to Bayern, Son, who endured a pretty miserable 2022/23, once again looked off the pace before Tottenham rocked up at Burnley on gameweek four.
The new Spurs skipper was at his utterly ruthless best as he bagged a superbly-taken hat-trick to get his season up and running.
5. Jarrod Bowen (West Ham)
Games played: 4
Goals scored: 3
Bowen's strike at the death in the Europa Conference League final will forever be etched in the minds of Hammers supporters.
The exuberant winger has been a reliable customer in front of goal since joining the club, and the early signs in 2023/24 suggest he could hit double figures in the Premier League for the second time.
4. Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest)
Games played: 4
Goals scored: 3
Awoniyi's goals at the backend of 2022/23 played a crucial role in Forest's survival, and he started the new campaign by extending his scoring streak to eight consecutive games by netting against Arsenal, Sheffield United, and Manchester United.
His impressive run came to a close at Stamford Bridge, although he did set up Anthony Elanga for the game's only goal.
3. Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)
Games played: 4
Goals scored: 4
Ivan Toney's six-month suspension is a devastating blow for Brentford, although the Englishman's partner in crime has so far done an excellent job of mitigating his absence.
Mbeumo was long considered Toney's Robin, but he's scored four in four at the start of 2023/24 as the Bees' leading man. FPL owners, rejoice!
2. Evan Ferguson (Brighton)
Games played: 4
Goals scored: 4
Brighton's abundance of attacking riches has seen Ferguson start just two of the Seagull's opening four fixtures.
The young Irishman has been tipped to enjoy a productive campaign after breaking out last season, and his campaign burst into life with a trio of strikes in Brighton's 3-1 win over Newcastle at the Amex. He opened his account this season with a late opening-day strike against Luton.
1. Erling Haaland (Man City)
Games played: 4
Goals scored: 6
Perched at the top of the scoring charts is the man to beat and the overwhelming favourite for the 2023/24 Golden Boot.
Haaland smashed the single-season Premier League scoring record last season with 36 goals, and, while it is early doors, he's on course to topple his record in 2023/24.
Despite playing just 39 Premier League games (correct at the time of writing), only eight players have scored more hat-tricks than the Norwegian phenom, who got his first of the season against Fulham on gameweek four.
This article was originally published on 90min as Premier League top scorers: 2023/24 Golden Boot contenders.
