Erling Haaland closed out the 2025-26 Premier League season exactly where he started it: on top of the scoring charts. The Manchester City striker finished with 27 goals to claim his third Golden Boot in four English seasons, matching the tallies of legends Alan Shearer and Harry Kane along the way.
How the Race Unfolded
Haaland built an early lead and never relinquished it, fending off a late surge from Brentford’s breakout striker Igor Thiago, who finished second with 22 goals in his first full season in the division. Behind them, a crowded chasing pack included Bryan Mbeumo, who impressed after moving to Manchester United, and Chelsea’s Joao Pedro.
Final Standings
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City): 27 goals
- Igor Thiago (Brentford): 22 goals
- Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United): 16 goals, the most by an English player
- Joao Pedro (Chelsea) and Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest): 15 goals apiece
Only Salah and Henry Have Won More
Haaland’s third Golden Boot leaves him just one behind the all-time record held jointly by Mohamed Salah and Thierry Henry, who have each won the award four times. Salah himself took the 2024-25 title before Haaland reclaimed it, continuing one of the most compelling individual rivalries in the modern Premier League.
Scoring races like this one feed directly into how national teams are assessed too, something reflected in the latest FIFA rankings explained. For a wider view of who is dominating in front of goal across all competitions, our roundup of football’s highest goal scorers puts Haaland’s tally in historical context.
What’s Next
With the 2026-27 season kicking off in mid-August, attention already turns to whether Haaland can chase down Salah and Henry’s record, or whether a new challenger emerges. Igor Thiago’s breakout campaign suggests Brentford could be a genuine source of goals again, while Manchester United will hope Mbeumo kicks on after a strong debut season. Follow our football calendar this year guide for key fixtures as the new scoring race gets underway.