It can be a very challenging task for forwards to maintain consistency in goal-scoring throughout a season, especially in physically gruesome competitions like the English Premier League. However, some strikers in league history have scaled unexpected heights and drove their teams to glory.
Alan Shearer and Andy Cole held the record for the most goals scored in a single PL campaign. While they achieved their record in a 42-match season which had 22 teams fighting for the title, Mohamed Salah held the record for the current 38-match, 20-team format, with 32 goals in 2017-18.
However, the record for most goals in a Premier League season was decimated in the 2022-23 season by Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who scored 36 goals in 35 games.
Most goals in a Premier League season
|
Player |
Club |
Goals |
Season |
|
Erling Haaland |
Manchester City |
36 |
2022-23 |
|
Andy Cole |
Newcastle United |
34 |
1993-94 |
|
Alan Shearer |
Blackburn Rovers |
34 |
1994-95 |
|
Mohamed Salah |
Liverpool |
32 |
2017-18 |
|
Luis Suarez |
Liverpool |
31 |
2013-14 |
|
Cristiano Ronaldo |
Manchester United |
31 |
2007-08 |
|
Alan Shearer |
Blackburn Rovers |
31 |
1993-94 |
|
Alan Shearer |
Blackburn Rovers |
31 |
1995-96 |
|
Harry Kane |
Tottenham Hotspur |
30 |
2022-23 |
|
Harry Kane |
Tottenham Hotspur |
30 |
2017-18 |
|
Robin van Persie |
Arsenal |
30 |
2011-12 |
|
Thierry Henry |
Arsenal |
30 |
2003-04 |
|
Kevin Phillips |
Sunderland |
30 |
1999-2000 |
Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – 36 goals, 2022-23
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland broke the record for most goals in a Premier League season in lightning-quick time. He scored 36 goals in 35 games and spearheaded City’s attack with aplomb in what was his debut season with the club. He scored four hat-tricks in the Premier League in his record-breaking season, against Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and Wolves. Harry Kane’s 30 goals for Tottenham that season would have been enough to win the Golden Boot in most years.
Andy Cole (Newcastle United) – 34 goals, 1993-94
Andy Cole was a force to reckon with in his early days at Newcastle United. In the second edition of the revamped Premier League tournament (1993-94), Cole smashed 34 goals for the Magpies in 40 matches. He finished the season with 41 goals in 45 matches across all competitions and in January 1995, he moved to Manchester United.
Alan Shearer (Blackburn Rovers) – 34 goals, 1994-95
Premier League’s all-time leading goal-scorer, Alan Shearer led Blackburn Rovers’ fairytale title triumph by example in 1994-95, which was the only PL medal he won in his career. He scored 34 goals in 42 matches, including three hat-tricks, against Queens Park Rangers, West Ham United and Ipswich Town.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – 32 goals, 2017-18
Salah held the record for the most goals scored in a 38-game Premier League season until Haaland’s 36 in 2022-23. The Egyptian surpassed Luis Suarez and Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally of 31 goals in his debut campaign with Liverpool. On the final day of the season, Salah scored his 32nd goal against Brighton in a thumping 4-0 win for Jurgen Klopp’s juggernaut.
Luis Suarez (Liverpool) – 31 goals, 2013-14
Luis Suarez took the Premier League by a storm after making a £22.8 million move from Ajax in January 2011. In his final season for the Reds, Suarez smashed 31 goals. Unfortunately for the Uruguayan forward, the club fell two points short of Manchester City in the title chase. He moved to Barcelona after the season.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) – 31 goals, 2007-08
The 2007-08 edition announced the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, which also led him to his first of five Ballon d’Or trophies. He won the Premier League and Champions League with Manchester United, also scoring 31 goals in the process in the league. He equalled the record for the most goals scored in a 38-game season.