Alexis Sanchez Arsenal Hull 11022017

Premier League top scorers: Kane moves ahead of Lukaku for Golden Boot

With little over two months to go in the 2016-17 Premier League season, six players have a realistic chance of winning this year's Golden Boot award.

Thanks to his double against Everton, Tottenham forward Harry Kane now leads the pack with 19 goals, ahead of Toffees striker Romelu Lukaku. Alexis Sanchez has slipped behind, having started Arsenal's 3-1 defeat to Liverpool on the bench.

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With Diego Costa, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Jermain Defoe also in the mix, who has the best chance of holding the lead come the end of the campaign? Let's start with a look at the current rankings in full before going through each contender individually.

The Premier League top scorers

NameTeamGamesGoalsMins per goal
Harry KaneTottenham2219100
Romelu LukakuEverton2618127
Alexis SanchezArsenal2617129
Diego CostaChelsea2416133
Zlatan IbrahimovicManchester United2515150
Jermain DefoeSunderland2714173
Dele AlliTottenham2613160
Sadio ManeLiverpool2412167
Sergio AgueroManchester City2012126
Fernando LlorenteSwansea2411162
Eden HazardChelsea2510209
Troy DeeneyWatford279258
Roberto FirminoLiverpool269257
Christian BentekeCrystal Palace259242
Gylfi SigurdssonSwansea278292
Joshua KingBournemouth268231
Michail AntonioWest Ham258272
Olivier GiroudArsenal18891

HARRY KANE


HD Harry Kane Tottenham

Kane has been the most prolific striker in the Premier League this season, netting 19 goals in 22 matches, and when he hits the target he tends to do it more than once. Three of the England star's last seven goalscoring games in all competitions have been hat-tricks, with two doubles.

Nearly all of Spurs' most difficult games remaining this season are at White Hart Lane, where they are the only team in the English top flight yet to lose. Indeed, 15 of Kane's goals have come on home turf and if he can improve his away tally against some beatable opposition, the prize will likely be his for a second consecutive season.

Best odds available: 6-5 (favourite)


ROMELU LUKAKU


Romelu Lukaku

Ronald Koeman seems to be figuring things out at Everton after an inconsistent first half of the season and Lukaku has led their ascent up the table since the New Year. The Belgian has nine goals in nine games in all competitions since January 1.

His best performance of the season so far came during that run against Bournemouth in February, when he netted four goals to seal a remarkable 6-3 win. That display has taken him out of dark-horse status and pushed him right into contention.

Best odds available: 7-2


ALEXIS SANCHEZ


Hd Alexis Sanchez Arsenal

Alexis has been nothing short of sensational for Arsenal this season, leading the Premier League in chances created to go along with his goalscoring prowess. It has not been enough, however, to lift the Gunners into a genuine title challenge.

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The Chilean continues to find the target, but much speculation has surrounded his future in recent weeks, especially after his benching against Liverpool, and with pressure mounting on Arsene Wenger, his focus could drift as the season meanders to its close once again in north London.

Best odds available: 17-2


DIEGO COSTA


HD Diego Costa Chelsea

There may be no more complete striker in the division than Costa and he looked the clear favourite for the Golden Boot as Chelsea ran roughshod of the competition following Antonio Conte's switch to a 3-4-3 formation.

Amid speculation linking him with a move to China, however, the Spaniard had a slow start to 2017 that has seen his rivals reel him in. Blues fans will hope that his two goals in his last two games - against Swansea City in the league and Wolves in the FA Cup - are a sign that he is getting back into his groove.

Best odds available: 6-1


ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC


Zlatan Ibrahimovic Manchester United

Ibrahimovic is more popular than ever at Old Trafford on the back of his EFL Cup-winning goal against Southampton, but has work to do to add more silverware to his crowded trophy cabinet. The Swede is now four goals adrift of Harry Kane, having missed from the spot against Bournemouth.

The 35-year-old has been most dangerous in the cups of late, netting a hat-trick in the Europa League against Saint-Etienne and the winner against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup in addition to his Wembley heroics. That the league may continue to take a backseat - though qualifying for the Champions League is vital to the Red Devils - may dent his chances.

Best odds available: 14-1


JERMAIN DEFOE


Jermain Defoe SunderlandGetty Images

Defoe is just five goals behind the top scorer but the bookmakers rate Sergio Aguero as having a better chance of making a late charge for the Golden Boot despite the fact the Argentine is a further two adrift.

That comes down to the fact that Sunderland look like they have a major struggle ahead to preserve their Premier League status. David Moyes' men are rooted to the bottom of the table and have won just once in 2017 - a 4-0 triumph at Crystal Palace that looks something of an anomaly given they have followed it up with three defeats.

Best odds available: 50-1

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