Fans can appreciate those who prevent the goals from going in, but it’s ultimately the folk doing the scoring who sell the tickets.

Fortunately, the Premier League is home to a fair few who know exactly where the back of the net is. The arrival of Erling Haaland has transcended what many once thought to be possible from a goalscoring perspective in this division and the Nordic superstar is on the prowl once again in 2024/25.

A deviation away from wingers who hit the byline and cross means wide players have emerged as regular scorers themselves and some of the league’s finest inside forwards are among those most likely to challenge Haaland in the Golden Boot race.

Here’s how 90min ranks the best forwards in the Premier League at the start of the 2024/25 season.

Crystal Palace’s cult hero reached new heights during the backend of 2023/24 with Oliver Glasner getting the very best out of the French forward.

Jean-Phillipe Mateta, who benefitted from the creative brilliance of Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, simply couldn’t stop scoring as Palace finished tenth in the table. His fine form continued over the summer at the Olympics, where he earned a silver medal, but he drew a blank on Matchday 1 against Brentford.

Diogo Jota beat out Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez for the starting job on Arne Slot’s Premier League bow.

The adroit Portuguese forward played a key role in Liverpool’s second-half improvement, with his movement allowing Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz to exploit the space behind Ipswich’s high defensive line. He also opened the scoring with a trademark poacher’s effort.

Dominic Solanke finally burst into life last season, scoring 19 times for a side that took a a little while to ignite during Andoni Iraola’s first season in charge.

The former Chelsea starlet is a traditional centre forward who looks set for another goal-laden campaign in a different environment. ‘Ange-ball’ suits him down to the ground.

Adored on Tyneside, the Toon Army are poised to enjoy at least another season of Swedish magic.

Alexander Isak is a divine forward operator. He makes the game look ever so easy and his 2024/25 campaign kicked off with an assist for Joelinton’s winner against Southampton.

The Newcastle United striker will be aiming to avoid spells on the sidelines and fire the Magpies back into Europe this term.

Ollie Watkins and Isak are fighting for best-of-the-rest honours in terms of number nines in the Premier League.

While the Aston Villa striker’s campaign is yet to get underway, Watkins just about pips Isak after he enjoyed a prolific 2023/24 season. The England international is just as proficient at creating as he is scoring and his work without the ball can’t go unnoticed.

There are few superior channel runners and cooler finishers from tight angles.

Kai Havertz endured an inconspicuous start to life as a Gooner, but a switch to a number nine role has been the making of the German.

Havertz came on strong down the stretch last season, proving himself to be more than a forward who runs around plenty and wins headers. The former Chelsea man certainly knows where the goal is and his 2024/25 campaign started with a brave header to open the scoring against Wolves.

The star of 2023/24, Phil Foden thrived for the champions last season having taken on greater responsibility in the wake of Kevin De Bruyne’s injury setback.

It was Foden’s tendency to shine when it mattered that helped City to a fourth-straight title and there’s no doubting it was the most impressive season of his young career. The England international endured a tough Euro 2024 from an individual standpoint and a quiet pre-season means it may take some time for Foden to work his way into 2024/25.

While Foden struggled at the Euros, Bukayo Saka stood up for his country and emerged in key moments to aid England’s progression through the rounds.

The loveable winger now boasts an air of inevitability and it was he who delivered the key moments for Arsenal on Matchday 1.

If only he was offered more respite by his manager.

While Saka is beginning to develop that inevitable trait, Mohamed Salah has had it for years.

The Egyptian has headed into the new campaign with a new look and the physically supreme winger certainly means business. Salah grew into Liverpool’s season opener at Portman Road and should have ended the contest with a hat-trick. Instead, Salah had to settle for a single strike as he kept up his impressive opening-day record.

Leif Davis had no idea how to contain him. Very few left-backs do.

No, Mr Cucurella, Erling Haaland is not trembling.

Man City’s imperious goal machine opened his 2024/25 account at the first time of asking as City overpowered Chelsea, sitting down his Spanish foe before producing a tidy finish at Stamford Bridge.

Haaland snatched his second consecutive Golden Boot in what some might have considered a down year and looks poised to challenge the remarkable scoring haul he achieved two seasons ago.

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