The tradition of the Golden Boot award stretches back to the inception of the Premier League in the 1992/93 season. Since then, it has become a symbol of recognition and appreciation for the league's most prolific goal scorers.
We will take a comprehensive look at the list of Golden Boot winners, from the early days of the competition, when legends like Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry graced the pitch, to the contemporary goal-scoring machines like Erling Haarland.
We will delve into the influence their goals have had on the history of the Premier League. While celebrating the top goal scorers, we'll also acknowledge the players who came agonizingly close to winning the award.
So, join us as we take an in-depth look at one of the most iconic awards in English football – the coveted Golden Boot.
ERLING HAALAND (36 GOALS)
Manchester City
This season, Haaland has left an indelible mark on the league, capturing an array of prestigious accolades, including the Premier League Player of the Year, Premier League Young Player of the Year, and FWA Footballer of the Year.
Notably, he etched his name in history by surpassing the longstanding record for most goals in a single campaign, surpassing Andrew Cole and Alan Shearer's respective tallies of 34 goals achieved during the 1993/94 and 1994/95 seasons, when the league comprised 42 matches.
The Norwegian sensation shattered Premier League records, netting 36 goals, placing him six goals ahead of his nearest rival, Harry Kane.
Haaland's exceptional season added him to the elite ranks of Manchester City's Golden Boot winners, joining the likes of Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez. Haaland achieved a remarkable tally of six hat-tricks during the season, with four in the Premier League.
Betfred, has placed the Norwegian Striker as the front-runner with odds of 2/7 to secure the Golden Boot once again in 2024.
MO SALAH | SON HEUNG-MIN (23 GOALS)
Liverpool | Tottenham Hotspur
Mo got his hands on the Golden Boot for a third time in 2022, although he had to share the spotlight with Son Heung-Min!
Throughout the season, Salah displayed red-hot form in the Premier League and contributed significantly to Liverpool's successful FA Cup campaign. Additionally, his goals were pivotal in propelling Liverpool to the 2022 Champions League final.
But let's not forget about Tottenham's Son Heung-min, who made history as the first Asian player to win the Golden Boot Award, matching Mo Salah with 23 league goals.
In an emotional interview with BBC Sport, Son said, "I dreamed of it as a child. It's literally in my hands now. I can't believe it!"
HARRY KANE (23 GOALS)
Tottenham Hotspur
Once again, 23 proved magic number for Harry Kane as he secured the top spot on the goalscoring charts for the second time in his career.
Remarkably, Kane's contributions extended beyond scoring, as he also emerged as the season's leading provider, assisting in the creation of 14 goals.
Despite his exceptional performances, Kane surprisingly missed out on the PFA Player of the Year award, which went to Kevin De Bruyne.
Meanwhile, Mo Salah showcased his goal-scoring prowess once more, concluding the season with an impressive 22 goals to his name.
JAMIE VARDY (23 GOALS)
Leicester City
Jamie Vardy, etched his name in history by becoming the oldest player ever to clinch the prestigious Golden Boot, having netted an impressive 23 goals in the Premier League.
The 33-year-old finished with one more goal than Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Arsenal and Danny Ings, the forward for Southampton, both of whom scored 22 goals.
During Leicester's title-winning season in 2015-16, Vardy netted 24 goals. However, he narrowly missed out on the accolade to Harry Kane, who claimed the top spot with 25 goals.
MO SALAH | SADIO MANE | AUBAMEYANG (22 GOALS)
Liverpool | Liverpool | Arsenal
The race for the Golden Boot remained incredibly close throughout the season, with Mo Salah and Sergio Aguero consistently in contention.
As the season approached its final game, Salah held the top spot with 22 goals. However, when he failed to find the net in the last match, his closest competitors seized the opportunity to catch up.
Sadio Mane scored twice against Wolves, elevating his goal tally to 22, putting him level with Salah.
Similarly, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted two goals in Arsenal's 3-1 victory over Burnley, which was enough to share the Golden Boot honours.
Despite Sergio Aguero scoring in Manchester City's last game, he remained one goal behind his rivals.
MO SALAH (32 GOALS)
Liverpool
In a stunning display of goal-scoring prowess, Mo Salah lit up the Premier League, finding the back of the net an astonishing 32 times in just 36 games.
This remarkable feat marked the highest-scoring rate for the Golden Boot since Alan Shearer's exceptional season in 1995.
Salah's scintillating performances not only earned him the coveted Golden Boot but also garnered him multiple prestigious accolades. He was rightfully crowned Player of the Season by the Premier League, as well as receiving the honors from both the PFA and the FWA.
Harry Kane also delivered an outstanding performance, tallying an impressive 30 goals throughout the season. Kane's achievement would have secured him the top spot in any other year. However, he had to settle for second place.
HARRY KANE (29 GOALS)
Tottenham Hotspur
Harry Kane put any doubts to rest about being a one-season wonder as he once again claimed the Golden Boot in the 2016-17 season, showcasing his prolific goal-scoring abilities by finding the back of the net 29 times.
The talented England international secured a comfortable lead, finishing four goals ahead of Romelu Lukaku from Everton and an impressive five goals ahead of Alexis Sánchez from Arsenal.
Kane's consistent goal-scoring form established him as a formidable force in the Premier League and solidified his status as one of the league's top strikers.
HARRY KANE (25 GOALS)
Liverpool | Tottenham Hotspur
With a fantastic tally of 25 goals, Harry Kane claimed the top honours in the goal-scoring charts.
Hot on his heels was Jamie Vardy and Sergio Agüero, who finished the season with an impressive 24 goals each.
Romelu Lukaku of Everton secured a respectable total of 18 goals, rounding off the list of top scorers for the season.
SERGIO AGÜERO (26 GOALS)
Manchester City
Sergio Agüero, widely regarded as one of the most prolific strikers in the history of the Premier League, was unfortunately plagued by recurrent fitness issues throughout his career.
However, despite the setbacks, Agüero's undeniable talent and goal-scoring prowess shone through in the 2014-15 season.
He secured the Golden Boot in a remarkable display by netting an impressive tally of 26 goals in just 33 appearances for Manchester City.
This achievement cemented Agüero's place among the league's elite goal-scorers and showcased his ability to overcome adversities in pursuit of individual excellence.
LUIS SUÁREZ (31 GOALS)
Liverpool
Luis Suárez etched his name in Premier League history as only the third player to achieve the impressive feat of scoring 31 goals in a 38-game season.
What's more, he accomplished this remarkable milestone in fewer games than both Alan Shearer and Cristiano Ronaldo, solidifying his position as one of the league's most prolific goal-scorers.
Suárez's outstanding performance translated into the best goals-to-games ratio in Premier League history, a record that stood until Mo Salah emerged in 2018, scoring 32 goals in just 36 games.
In a unique occurrence, Suárez's teammate Daniel Sturridge secured the runner-up position for the award, netting an impressive 21 goals.
This marked the first time in Premier League history that the top two goal-scorers came from the same team in a single season.
However, this achievement was later matched by Mo Salah and Sadio Mané in 2019.
Despite their impressive goal-scoring exploits, Liverpool's title hopes were dashed due to a notorious Steven Gerrard slip, which proved costly for the team's pursuit of the championship.
ROBIN VAN PERSIE (26 GOALS)
Manchester United
In a significant transfer move from Arsenal to rivals Manchester United during the summer of 2012, Robin van Persie made history by becoming just the second player, following Alan Shearer, to secure back-to-back Golden Boot awards with different clubs.
Van Persie's exceptional goal-scoring exploits continued as he seamlessly transitioned between clubs, leaving a lasting impact on the Premier League.
Notably, the Dutch striker also joined an exclusive group of players as the ninth individual to clinch both the Premier League title and the Golden Boot in the same season.
This remarkable achievement highlights van Persie's prowess as a goal-scorer and his invaluable contribution to Manchester United's success.
Finishing as the runner-up in the goal-scoring race was Luis Suárez from Liverpool, who amassed an impressive total of 23 goals.
ROBIN VAN PERSIE (30 GOALS)
Arsenal
Robin van Persie emerged as one of Arsène Wenger's final remarkable success stories during his tenure at Arsenal. Despite initial skepticism about his potential as a striker, van Persie exceeded all expectations under Wenger's guidance.
After scoring 18 goals in the previous season, van Persie embarked on an extraordinary campaign, featuring in all 38 Premier League matches—a rare feat indeed. His transformation into a central striker yielded astounding results, as he soared to the top of the goal-scoring charts with an impressive tally of 30 goals.
Wayne Rooney of Manchester United finished as the runner-up in the goal-scoring race, falling just short with 27 goals. Interestingly, the two would become teammates the following season, uniting their striking prowess in a formidable partnership.
Van Persie's remarkable development into a prolific striker was a testament to Wenger's keen eye for talent and ability to unlock players' full potential.
CARLOS TEVEZ | DIMITAR BERBATOV (20 GOALS)
Manchester City | Manchester United
In 2011, the Golden Boot award witnessed a rare occurrence as it was shared among two rivals, Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov, representing Manchester City and Manchester United, respectively. This marked the third and most recent instance of a shared Golden Boot.
Ultimately, Manchester United emerged as the league champions, securing the title, while Manchester City finished in third place and secured qualification for the Champions League. The shared Golden Boot added another layer of intensity and competition to the fierce rivalry between the two clubs during that season.
DIDIER DROGBA (29 GOALS)
Chelsea
In the lead-up to the 2009-10 season, Didier Drogba had only managed to score a little over a dozen goals in two previous campaigns.
However, under the guidance of manager Carlo Ancelotti, Drogba experienced a remarkable resurgence. He found himself in scintillating form as a crucial member of Chelsea's free-scoring side, ultimately edging out Manchester United by a single point to claim the league title.
Drogba's goal-scoring exploits played a pivotal role in Chelsea's success during that campaign.
Meanwhile, 2009-10 marked one of the two seasons in which Wayne Rooney would surpass the 20-goal mark. Despite his impressive performances, Rooney found himself as the runner-up in the Golden Boot race on both occasions.
NICOLAS ANELKA (19 GOALS)
Chelsea
In a rare occurrence, the Premier League Golden Boot winner this season scored less than 20 goals, marking only the third instance in the award's history.
Despite Anelka's success, Chelsea could only secure a third-place finish in the league standings. Meanwhile, Manchester United claimed the league title with the assistance of Cristiano Ronaldo's 18 goals, further solidifying their dominance in the competition.
CRISTIANO RONALDO (31 GOALS)
Manchester United
In the 2007-08 season, Cristiano Ronaldo left an indelible mark on the Premier League by delivering a sensational display, netting an astonishing 31 goals. His remarkable performance consistently linked him with a lucrative transfer to Real Madrid throughout the season, and despite the knowledge that he would eventually join the Spanish giants, Sir Alex Ferguson managed to retain Ronaldo's services for another season.
However, following his prolific campaign, Ronaldo eventually made his long-anticipated move to Real Madrid, setting a new transfer record at £80 million. His departure marked the end of an era for Manchester United.
Fernando Torres of Liverpool and Emmanuel Adebayor of Arsenal finished as the next top goal-scorers on the list, both recording an impressive tally of 24 goals. Adebayor, in particular, achieved a unique distinction during that season by becoming the first and, to this day, the only player to score hat-tricks in two games against the same team within a single season. His exceptional feat occurred against Derby County.
DIDIER DROGBA (20 GOALS)
Chelsea
In the 2006-07 season, Didier Drogba secured the Golden Boot with a total of 20 goals. Despite his individual success, Chelsea found themselves six points adrift of the champions, Manchester United, in the league standings.
Drogba's goal-scoring prowess continued to shine in the 2009-10 season, where he surpassed his previous record, netting an impressive 29 goals. Once again, he topped the goal-scoring charts, showcasing his exceptional ability to find the back of the net.
Benni McCarthy, who had recently made the move from FC Porto to Blackburn Rovers, made a notable impact by scoring 18 goals. This achievement earned the South African striker the runner-up spot in the Golden Boot race, underlining his own goal-scoring abilities.
Although Drogba's goals couldn't secure the league title for Chelsea in the 2006-07 season, his consistent performances and subsequent triumph in the following campaign solidified his status as one of the Premier League's top goal-scorers.
THIERRY HENRY (27 GOALS)
Arsenal
Thierry Henry, the legendary striker, clinched an impressive fourth Premier League Golden Boot this season. Regrettably, it would also be his final triumph as an injury struck, forcing him to miss a significant portion of the following season.
Subsequently, in 2007, Henry made a transfer to Barcelona, embarking on a new chapter in his illustrious career. His remarkable feat of winning the Golden Boot in three consecutive seasons remains a distinction held by only a select few.
Ruud van Nistelrooy showcased his full fitness and prodigious goal-scoring abilities throughout the season, netting an impressive total of 21 goals for Manchester United. However, after the season concluded, he made a high-profile move to Real Madrid, continuing his career in Spain.
Thierry Henry's record-breaking accomplishments and van Nistelrooy's goal-scoring exploits added excitement and star power to the Premier League during this period. While injury halted Henry's dominance, his impact on the league remained indelible, and van Nistelrooy's successful season set the stage for his future endeavors at Real Madrid.
THIERRY HENRY (25 GOALS)
Arsenal
Despite losing only five games in the subsequent season, Arsenal found themselves trailing José Mourinho's dominant Chelsea, who secured the Premier League title with a significant 12-point margin.
However, Thierry Henry persistently displayed his skill for scoring goals, maintaining his peak form and tallying an impressive count of 25 goals. This performance earned him the Golden Boot for a second consecutive season, solidifying his position as one of the league's top strikers.
Andrew Johnson from Crystal Palace emerged as the runner-up in the goal-scoring race, netting a commendable tally of 21 goals. Remarkably, Johnson's achievement included a record-breaking feat of converting 11 penalties in a single season, with seven of those penalties won by the striker himself. His clinical penalty-taking ability added an extra dimension to his goal-scoring exploits.
While Arsenal fell short in their pursuit of the title, Thierry Henry's continued excellence and Andrew Johnson's penalty prowess added excitement to the Premier League season, leaving a lasting impression on fans and pundits alike.
THIERRY HENRY (30 GOALS)
Arsenal
Thierry Henry won his second Golden Boot in 2003-04. This was the season Arsenal went through the entire Premier League campaign unbeaten. Finishing the season with 90 points.
Alan Shearer finished behind the French striker with 22 goals. This was a record fourth and final time that Shearer would be runner-up in the race for the Golden Boot.
It was also the former-England captain’s last real solid season before hanging his boots up at the end of the 2005-06 season.
RUUD VAN NISTELROOY (25 GOALS)
Manchester United
In the 2002-03 season, Manchester United clinched the Premier League title, finishing five points ahead of Arsenal in a tightly contested race. Meanwhile, in the battle for the Golden Boot, United's Ruud van Nistelrooy managed to edge out Arsenal's Thierry Henry by a single goal.
Van Nistelrooy's prolific goal-scoring exploits earned him the Golden Boot award, highlighting his remarkable contribution to United's success that season.
Notably, he joined an exclusive group of five different United players who have achieved the remarkable feat of winning both the Premier League title and the Golden Boot in the same season.
The competition between Manchester United and Arsenal during the 2002-03 season added excitement to the Premier League, with United ultimately securing the league title while van Nistelrooy emerged as the leading goal-scorer.
The season was a momentous chapter in the enduring rivalry between both clubs.
THIERRY HENRY (24 GOALS)
Arsenal
Thierry Henry truly ignited his career in the Premier League during his third season following his £11 million transfer from Juventus.
In the 2001-02 season, he claimed his first Golden Boot with an impressive tally of 24 goals, a significant improvement from his previous two seasons, where he scored 17 goals each.
The French striker outshone his competitors, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink from Chelsea, Ruud van Nistelrooy from Manchester United, and Alan Shearer from Newcastle United, by scoring one more goal than each of them.
Henry's exceptional goal-scoring abilities made him a force to be reckoned with and propelled him to the top of the goal charts.
The 2001-02 season marked a turning point in Henry's Premier League journey, as he established himself as a dominant goal-scorer, contributed significantly to Arsenal's triumph, and laid the foundation for his future successes in the league.
JIMMY FLOYD HASSELBAINK (23 GOALS)
Chelsea
This marked the last occasion when a player from a team outside the top four secured the Golden Boot, as Chelsea finished 6th in the league standings during that season. It is intriguing to note that in each of the three preceding seasons, there was a Golden Boot winner from a team outside the top four as well.
In the 1999-2000 season, Kevin Phillips of Sunderland claimed the Golden Boot, with his team finishing in 7th place. Similarly, in the 1998-99 season, Michael Owen of Liverpool emerged as the Golden Boot winner, despite Liverpool's 7th place finish in the league.
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In the 1997-98 season, both Chris Sutton of Blackburn Rovers (6th place) and Dion Dublin of Coventry City (11th place) secured their positions as top goal-scorers, despite their teams finishing outside the top four.
The 2000-01 campaign witnessed Marcus Stewart of Ipswich Town becoming a one-season wonder as he netted an impressive 19 goals for George Burley's side. Ipswich Town's surprising fourth-place finish following their promotion added to the excitement, but unfortunately, they were unable to maintain their top-flight status and were relegated the following season.
These instances highlight the unpredictability and excitement of the Premier League, where top goal-scorers can emerge from teams outside the traditional top-four positions, leaving a lasting impression on the league's history.
KEVIN PHILLIPS (30 GOALS)
Sunderland
Kevin Phillips had a remarkable season in 1999-2000, finding the back of the net an impressive 30 times in the Premier League for Sunderland. His striking partnership with Niall Quinn proved to be instrumental in guiding the team to a seventh-place finish under the leadership of Peter Reid. In fact, Phillips accounted for a staggering 53% of Sunderland's total goals that season.
However, despite his sensational goal-scoring exploits in that particular season, Phillips struggled to replicate the same level of scoring success in the following three seasons. Over the course of those subsequent seasons, he managed to score only 31 goals for Sunderland, a stark contrast to his prolific output in his record-breaking campaign.
Meanwhile, Alan Shearer of Newcastle United remained a highly-prolific striker in his own right, finishing behind Phillips in the goal-scoring charts with an impressive tally of 23 goals.
MICHAEL OWEN | DWIGHT YORKE | JIMMY FLOYD HASSELBAINK (18 GOALS)
Liverpool | Manchester United | Leeds United
In a rare occurrence, the Golden Boot was shared by three players for the second consecutive season, making these the only two instances of such a tie until the 2018-19 season. Notably, both instances saw the award being won with as few as 18 goals, further highlighting the uniqueness of the situation.
This particular season holds significant historical significance as Manchester United famously achieved the remarkable treble. During their triumphant campaign, the team distributed their Premier League goals across four talented strikers. Dwight Yorke led the pack with 18 goals, closely followed by Andrew Cole with 17 goals. Ole Gunnar Solskjær contributed 12 goals, while Teddy Sheringham added two goals to the team's tally.
The success of Manchester United's multiple goal-scorers showcased the depth and potency of their striking options, ultimately propelling them to an unprecedented treble triumph. These achievements further solidified the legacy of Manchester United's squad during that memorable season, leaving an indelible mark on the club's history.
CHRIS SUTTON | DION DUBLIN | MICHAEL OWEN (18 GOALS)
Blackburn Rovers | Coventry City | Liverpool
In an unprecedented turn of events, the Golden Boot award was shared among three players for the first time in history, with each player managing a modest tally of 18 goals during the 1997-98 season.
Interestingly, Dennis Bergkamp emerged as the top scorer for the league champions, Arsenal, with a relatively low count of 16 goals. Andrew Cole claimed the top scorer title for Manchester United, but with just 15 goals to his name. Notably, Michael Owen made history as the youngest player to ever finish the season as the Premier League's top scorer.
Dion Dublin accomplished a unique feat by winning the Golden Boot while representing Coventry City, a team that finished in the bottom half of the table, securing an 11th place finish in the 1997-98 season.
Both Dublin and Owen achieved their 18-goal haul in 36 games, resulting in a goal-to-games ratio of 0.5, which stands as the joint-lowest ratio for a Golden Boot winner in Premier League history. This record is shared with Hasselbaink, who achieved the same ratio in the subsequent season.
ALAN SHEARER (25 GOALS)
Newcastle United
After securing a then-world record £15 million transfer from Blackburn Rovers to Newcastle United, Alan Shearer continued his prolific goal-scoring exploits by claiming the Premier League Golden Boot for the third consecutive season. This achievement firmly cemented his standing as one of the league's most formidable strikers.
Despite Shearer's individual success, Newcastle United had to settle for the runners-up position in the league for the second year. The resignation of manager Kevin Keegan in January had a significant impact on the team's performance, resulting in a decline in subsequent seasons.
Ian Wright of Arsenal emerged as the runner-up in the Golden Boot race, boasting an impressive tally of 23 goals. However, despite Arsenal's strong season, they narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification.
ALAN SHEARER (31 GOALS)
Blackburn Rovers
Shearer netted over 30 goals for a remarkable third consecutive season. However, his efforts weren't enough to propel Blackburn Rovers to a successful defence of their Premier League title. Instead, they finished in fourth place, while Manchester United claimed the league title in dominant fashion.
Shearer's consistent excellence earned him the distinction of becoming the first player to win the Golden Boot in consecutive seasons, a feat that has only been matched by Thierry Henry, Robin van Persie, and Mo Salah since.
Meanwhile, Robbie Fowler of Liverpool again secured the runner-up position in the goal-scoring race. Fowler enjoyed a standout season, achieving a personal best of 28 goals during the 1995-96 campaign, further establishing himself as a prolific striker for the club.
ALAN SHEARER (34 GOALS)
Blackburn Rovers
After narrowly missing out on the Golden Boot in the previous season, Alan Shearer secured the prestigious award for the first time after a sensational campaign that propelled Blackburn to the league title.
Throughout his time at Ewood Park, Shearer displayed an impressive scoring ability, but he showcased his best form during the 1994/95 season. The forward had a phenomenal season, reaching new heights in his career, amassing a remarkable tally of 37 goals across all competitions, with an astounding 34 coming in the Premier League.
ANDREW COLE (34 GOALS)
Newcastle United
In an extraordinary feat, Andrew Cole became the first player to achieve the milestone of scoring over 30 goals in a single Premier League season, accomplishing this remarkable feat in his debut campaign.
Cole's impressive goal-scoring contributions played a significant role in helping Newcastle United secure promotion to the top flight after his arrival from Bristol City during the latter stages of the previous season.
Undeterred by the step-up in competition, Cole maintained his scoring proficiency, contributing to Kevin Keegan's side finishing an impressive third in the Premier League standings.
This achievement marked the joint-best finish by a team following their promotion to the top division, highlighting the impact Cole had on the team's success.
Meanwhile, Alan Shearer, the prolific striker for Blackburn Rovers, was not far behind, scoring an impressive tally of 31 goals.
TEDDY SHERINGHAM (22 GOALS)
Teddy Sheringham stands alone on the list of Golden Boot winners, achieving the prestigious award while representing two teams in the same season.
In the inaugural Premier League season, Sheringham scored a solitary goal for Nottingham Forest. However, he later transferred to Tottenham Hotspur, where he made his mark and netted 21 goals.
Les Ferdinand, the striker for Queens Park Rangers, became the second player in Premier League history to score 20 goals in a single season. Earning him the runner-up position for the Golden Boot award, with his team finishing in an admirable 5th place.
