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Premier League Golden Boot: How is the race to be top-scorer shaping up?

Premier League Golden Boot: How is the race to be top-scorer shaping up?
© Reuters
The Southampton striker has scored three goals in three games since the league's resumption.

The race for the Premier League’s Golden Boot is hotting up after Southampton’s Danny Ings struck twice against Watford on Sunday to move within one of leader Jamie Vardy.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the leading contenders.

Jamie Vardy, Leicester (19 goals)

PA Graphic
PA Graphic

The hero of Leicester’s stunning 2016 title success enjoyed an outstanding first half of the season, netting 13 goals in a blistering 10-game run through the autumn. He was even being tipped for player of the year honours but form has dipped since, with just two goals in 10 league games.

Danny Ings, Southampton (18)

The move to St Mary’s has rejuvenated Ings’ career after his injury-ravaged spell at Liverpool. The 27-year-old has enjoyed a consistent season, adding a cutting edge to a side that made a slow start to the season. He has scored three goals in three games since the competition resumed.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Arsenal (17)

Aubameyang's last Premier League goal came in February
Aubameyang’s last Premier League goal came in February (John Walton/PA)

The Gabon striker finished joint-top with Liverpool pair Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane on 22 last season and made a stunning start this term with seven goals in the opening seven games. He has remained the Gunners’ chief threat but, amid speculation about his future, has not scored since the restart.

Mohamed Salah, Liverpool (17)

Salah has been one of the key factors in Liverpool's title success
Salah has been one of the key factors in Liverpool’s title success (Martin Rickett/PA)

The Egyptian, who won the Golden Boot outright with 32 goals in 2017-18, continues to cut in from the right of the Reds’ attack to devastating effect. Looking refreshed, he scored in the 4-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace last week and, with the title now confirmed, the reins could come off altogether.

Others

Martial scored a hat-trick against Sheffield United last week
Martial scored a hat-trick against Sheffield United last week (Michael Steele/NMC Pool)

Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero (16) looks to be out of the reckoning due to injury but Wolves forward Raul Jimenez (15), the aforementioned Mane (15) and Manchester United pair Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford (both 14) may still have a chance.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


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