Five attackers surpassing Erling Haaland in the Premier League this season
Seven games in the 2025-26 Premier League season, Erling Haaland is once again the focal point of the Manchester City attack and remains the most dreaded attacker in the high flight.
The Norwegian has already scored nine goals in seven appearances this quarter, cementing his position at the top of the rating prize list.
Under Pep Guardiola, Haaland continues to evolve – this season, it becomes less depends on the volume and more effective in its movement and its finish.
This is something that the player and the manager recognized. Speaking after City’s recent victory against Brentford, Haaland told Sky Sports: “I think I’m in the best form of my life. I learn new things every week, and I became more clinical.
“My daughter holds me to the earth – I play for her every time I walk on the ground.”
Guardiola, meanwhile, praised the improvement of his Ballon No. 9.
“He understands when to wait, when to move. It is not a question of touching the ball 50 times – it is a question there when it is important,” said the boss of the city.
However, despite the strong numbers, the attacking data of City tells a slightly different story.
Image credit: Opta analyst
They create less likely compared to previous campaigns. The total of the expected goals of Haaland (XG) remains high at 7.71 so far, but the quality rate of quality has dropped – suggesting that others through the league can surpass it in the underlying measures.
According to the analyst’s Premier League database, a handful of attackers – including some unexpected names – currently surpass Haaland on XG by shooting, the conversion rate and the objective.
Here are five attackers who found a more clinical touch than the Talisman City at the start of the 2025-26 campaign.
Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth)
Few would have predicted that Antoine Semenyo de Bournemouth would be among the most effective finish in the League this season. On Andoni Iraola, the Ghanaian prospered in a more free and counterattack system which is suitable for his raw rhythm and his power.
Semenyo recorded six goals on an XG of only 3.59, which gave it one of the best outperformance rates of the division. Its improved selection of shooting – opt for faster finishes and low -focused efforts – made it much more clinical than in previous campaigns.
The confidence of the 25 -year -old has increased and his leadership role with the Cherries transformed Bournemouth’s attack into a real threat to transitions. If he maintains this form, Semenyo is undoubtedly online for a big money movement in January or next summer.
Jarrod Bowen (West Ham)
The adaptation of Jarrod Bowen wide forward to more than one central striker continues to bear fruit. The English international was brilliant lighting on the bad start to the hammers’ start, and his clinical contact bombarded them with some delicate situations.
Bowen currently has three goals from an XG of only 0.81, presenting its ruthless finishing capacity inside the box. What is remarkable is that Bowen’s shooting volume has not increased considerably – it is its precision and decision -making that have reached another level.
His off -ball movement, in particular between central defenders, sometimes reflects Haaland’s style, but Bowen’s role in the accumulation game remains wider. It derives wide, pressing intelligently and offers a creative outlet in transitions.
Jaidon Anthony (Burnley)
While Burnley’s season has been top and bottom so far, Jaidon Anthony’s new signature was a brilliant spark for the Scott Parker team.
He scored four goals on an XG of 2.16, an amazing outperformance that places him among the most effective finishers in the division.
The Anthony franchise was the key – with an average of 1.7 shots per game and creating 0.18 xg from each attempt.
His presence gave Burnley a clearer advantage in the attack. Although their results were mixed, Anthony’s ability to produce something from nothing could be vital in their battle for survival.
Wilson Isidor (Sunderland)
Wilson Isidor from Sunderland is perhaps the biggest surprise on this list. After joining Zenit last season, little expected what he adapts so transparent to the Premier League football.
The Frenchman was electric – scoring three goals from 15 shots. Its XG per shot is a remarkable 0.08, and its overall count is only 1.23.
Isidor’s intelligent movement between the lines made the attacks of attack by Sunderland very dangerous.
It is not only scoring either. The 25 -year -old also links the game for his side. For a promoted team, having an outperformance forward on Haaland on efficiency measures is an incredible achievement – and a sign that the Recruitment model of Sunderland is bearing fruit.
Igor Thiago (Brentford)
When Ivan Toney left Brentford, questions were away from who could fill his boots. Enter Igor Thiago, the Brazilian striker signed at Club Brugge. The 24 -year -old wasted no time making his mark in England, scoring four goals on an XG of 2.57.
Thiago’s combination of strength and subtlety makes him a nightmare for defenders. Its air power, pressure under pressure and its ability to drop in depth some of the best attributes of Toney, but it offers a different dimension – more movement in the liaison game behind and faster.
Under Keith Andrews, Thiago quickly became the heart rate of Brentford’s attack. His final touch and his physicity helped bees to remain competitive, even without Toney, Bryan Mbeumo or Yoane Wissa.
Overview
While Erling Haaland remains the deadliest striker in the Premier League in pure number, these performances at the start of the season highlight the effectiveness of players at the highest level to support their clubs.
For players like Semenyo, Bowen and Isidor, surpassing the Norwegian on XG does not only consist in scoring goals – it is a question of seizing opportunities that are not entirely built around them.
Haaland can always dominate the gold boot race, but these names show that there is more to be an elite attacker than volume alone.
https://www.101greatgoals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/3CE9B6T-2.jpg
About The Author
