Premier League top scorers 2023-24: Erling Haaland beats Cole Palmer in the race for the Golden Boot

Erling Haaland made last season's top-scorer battle one of the most boring Golden Boot races in Premier League history.

The Norwegian colossus ended on 36 league goals from 35 matches in 2022-23, registering four separate hat-tricks, making an absolute mockery of those who said he would need time to acclimatise to life in England last season.

The Norse titan is in a league of his own and showed few signs of slowing down in the 2023-24 campaign.

Probably the most surprising signing of Chelsea's summer spree was the arrival of 21-year-old Manchester City talent Cole Palmer, who quickly emerged as a key player in the Blues' attacking style. Always looking to probe and create goals, his consistently high performances caught the fans' attention and he pushed Haaland right to the end.

The silky Swede spent the first third of the 2022-23 campaign out with a thigh injury, and it wasn’t until after the World Cup that Newcastle fans got a taste of what their record-signing had to offer. Upon his return to first-team action, Alexander Isak was like a new January signing, netting eight in their last 19 games, and assisting two, firing the Magpies to Champions League qualification.

Flair, audacity, skill to bamboozle defenders, and lethal finishing quality, he is starting to show his undoubted promise and established himself as one of the top strikers in the English top-flight in 2023-24.

Foden continues to impress with his mazy dribbles and clever movement, but the young midfielder added more goals to his game in 2023-24.

Dominic Solanke registered a brilliant 13 goal contribution in the top flight last season, standing out as one of the Cherries' best-performing players as Bournemouth secured survival with relative ease.

Ollie Watkins has consistently impressed for the Lions over the past three seasons. The England international has been a key figure in Villa’s revival under Unai Emery and has been revived since the Spaniard succeeded Steven Gerrard in October last year.

He bettered his tally of 15 goals from 2022-23 by scoring 19 times for Villa in 2023-24.

Mohamed Salah hit 18 goals for Liverpool in the 2023-24 Premier League, continuing the Egyptians's gradual slowdown in front of goal (he registered 19 goals the season before). The Reds missed Salah's usually lethal touch as they were beaten in the title race.

Following a 23-goal season in which he shared the Golden Boot with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, the South Korean produced only 10 goals, and six assists in an underwhelming season in 2022-23. The arrival of former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou – who plays an expansive brand of football – and the addition of creative midfielder James Maddison means Son steadily got back to his best in 2023-24, which was vital for Spurs as he had to carry much of the scoring burden after Harry Kane’s exit.

A goal-scorer and creator who always gives his team a chance in attacking transitions, Jarrod Bowen's sparkling displays were a key reason why West Ham finished 2022-23 in fine form, and lifted their first European title since 1965 in the form of Europa Conference League. He continued that influential contribution in 2023-24.

Jean-Philippe Mateta hit the ground running for Palace following the appointment of Oliver Glasner as manager. The Frenchman provides a real fulcrum for Palace’s attacks and his improved goalscoring numbers this season speak for themselves.

Bukayo Saka evolved into one of the most exciting and consistent young players in world football in 2022-23. His stellar performances and 14 goals were key to Arsenal's impressive title charge in that season and Mikel Arteta got even more out of him in 2023-24, with the England international contributing 16 goals.

Chelsea's summer signing Nicolas Jackson may not have been a household name, but he emerged as one of the most exciting attacking talents in Europe after his breakout season at Villarreal in 2022-23 which saw him score 13 goals and provide five assists in 38 appearances.

A raw and talented forward, he has the ability to link play, run in behind and beat players with a blistering pace. Topped off with excellent poaching and finishing skills, he was a key player for Chelsea up top in 2023-24.

An aerially dominant old-fashioned target-man striker, Wood came under scrutiny from some quarters of the fanbase for not making the impact everyone hoped for since joining from Newcastle - at first on loan, then permanently. The New Zealand international changed the narrative by bagging some crucial goals in the 2023-24 season.

Kai Havertz took time to settle into the Gunner's lineup after joining from Chelsea. But Mikel Arteta's brilliance and the German international's scintillating finishes helped Arsenal reach new heights in the Premier League and also offload some weight off the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus.

Brazilian Matheus Cunha joined Wolves on loan from Atletico Madrid in January 2023 before completing a permanent £44m switch in the summer of 2023. His ability to carry the ball forward from deep and his work rate without the ball was evident from the outset, but he emerged as his side's most dangerous threat in 2023-24.

Hwang Hee-chan moved to the Premier League in January 2022 as Wolves snapped him up in a £14 million deal from RB Leipzig. For all his versatility, tenacity, speed, and mobility, he initially struggled to deliver the goods in the final third. However, he enjoyed a fine goal-scoring purple patch in 2023-24.

Trossard hit the ground running since joining Arsenal last season for a bargain fee of £27 million during the 2024 January transfer window. The agile Belgian forward was predominantly used on the left wing, and was instrumental in the goal-scorer and goal-provider role for the Gunners during the latter half of 2023-24.

Yoane Wissa emerged as Brentford's leading scorer in 2023-24, hitting double digit Premier League goals, outpacing both Bryan Mbeumo and Neal Maupay. His scoring prowess ensured that the absence of Ivan Toney from Thomas Frank's squad due to the betting suspension and injury struggles was not felt.