The Premier League's leading marksman have once again made their mark on the season with Mo Salah enjoying his best campaign to date so far.
The Liverpool forward broke records earlier this term as he scored in seven consecutive outings. His exploits have even left in-form Reds teammate Diogo Jota trailing in his wake, but the Portuguese star has forced his way into regular contention in the team's front three with Luis Diaz now entering the fray.
Tottenham's Harry Kane was denied a summer move to Manchester City, who themselves are continuing to operate without a natural No 9. He has not hit the heights of last season but continues to register impressive numbers, despite his co-star Son Heung-min currently outscoring him.
Watford's Emmanuel Denis has proven himself in a struggling side and will need to continue his impressive form if the Hornets are to survive. As with an ever-evolving game, wide forwards are becoming increasingly prolific, with Salah the great exponent. West Ham's Jarrod Bowen and Riyad Mahrez at City are two men to also flourish from wide areas. Here Mirror Football takes a look at 10 of the season's best forwards to date.
Mo Salah
A third Golden Boot in five seasons is firmly in the Egyptian's sights. His impressive scoring exploits have come amid an uncertain future, with Salah's contract set to enter its final 12 months this summer. Salah enjoyed a sensational start, scoring 10 times in the first nine games which included a hat-trick at Old Trafford. The Liverpool star has 30 goal involvements to date - by far the most in the league.
Harry Kane
The Englishman didn't get the move he wanted in the summer and did initially appear to be suffering something of a hangover early in the season. Kane enjoyed arguably the best campaign of his career last year as he evolved his game by dropping deep and influencing play. This term he's had to operate in an inconsistent Tottenham side but has still stepped up and highlighted his quality, with potential suitors City suffering as a result after his match winning performance at the Etihad.
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Diogo Jota
The unassuming Portuguese star continues to establish himself as Liverpool's No 9 - a position that once seemed to be Roberto Firmino's indefinitely. Jota is only second in Liverpool's scoring charts to Salah, with his total Premier League tally standing at 13. Since joining from Wolves last summer Klopp has claimed the 25-year-old "has turned into a really world-class striker".
Riyad Mahrez
The Algerian's minutes per goal strike rate is second only to Salah's this term as the winger leads the way for City in the final third, notching 10 times. Mahrez has taken on penalty duties for the champions this season, an area in which they struggled previously. Mahrez's efforts are made all the more impressive given he is not a guaranteed starter such is the quality and rotation policy employed by Pep Guardiola.
Emmanuel Dennis
The Watford man has 14 goal involvements this season, including nine goals, which means he has had a say in almost half of his team's 29 goals this term. The Hornets have, as ever, endured several managerial changes but Dennis has remained a constant performer. He has scored in five of his side's six wins as they aim to avoid the drop.
Jarrod Bowen
West Ham have often relied on Michail Antonio to come up with the goals, such was their want to add a forward in January. That makes Bowen's contributions all the more vital as the winger becomes increasingly prolific. The Hammers' No 20 has found the net eight times but also laid on a further eight assists which has led to interest from Liverpool.
Son Heung-min
For so long he's been Kane's supporting act, but this term the South Korean has outscored his colleague. Son has notched 13 times for Tottenham, with his shot accuracy the most of any player who's hit double digits in the goalscoring charts. Son stepped up earlier this term when Kane's future saw him omitted from the first-team squad, including a winner against City on the opening weekend.
Cristiano Ronaldo
He's faced his fair share of criticism this season and is by no means the long-term solution at Old Trafford but Manchester United without Ronaldo's goals would be a concerning sight. Even with his 12 strikes they're still in danger of missing out on the top four but match-winning performances against the likes of Tottenham and Arsenal have underlined his importance.
Armando Broja
One of the finds of the season, Southampton have benefited massively from adding the Chelsea loanee. Broja has scored six times but it is his hold up play and all-round influence in the final third that has really caught the eye. Already Thomas Tuchel has spoken highly of the Albanian, who is due to return to Stamford Bridge in a matter of months.
Raphinha
Much like Dennis at Watford, the value of Raphinha is underlined by where his team would be without him. The Brazilian, who has become a regular with his national side, has been crucial in Leeds' survival bid. Recent wins for the Whites have given them some breathing space. Raphinha has scored nine times, including the winner against Crystal Palace.
