by Michael Sawh

Created on: March 08, 2009   Last Updated: March 09, 2009

A 07/08 Premier League that went down to the wire, what better way to calm the over-bearing nerves than by handing the ball to the young but capable hands of one Cristiano Ronaldo. Stepping up to side-foot his shot inside the left hand post on the final day of the season, that Ronaldo strike not only set his Manchester United side en-route to the title, but added to his personal tally of 31 league goals which made him head and shoulders above the goalscoring pack.

In the hunt once again, the usual suspects have suffered indifferent campaigns in their pursuit for supreme goal gluttony. As the games to play draw closer to single figures, here are the likely contenders to de-throne the enigmatic young Portuguese winger.

The Favourite: Nicolas Anelka 15 goals

A Chelsea without Didier Drogba is a grossly different Chelsea, but while the Ivorian has struggled to recover from injuries and indifference's with the management, Anelka has stepped up into his rather giant shoes to effectively lead the line for the Blues. The Frenchman struggled to impose himself early into his Chelsea career, but as the focus has fallen on Anelka to spearhead the attack, he has shown just how clinical most knew he could be. Clearly revelling at being the centre of the striking attention Anelka has bagged 15 goals, including two hat-tricks. Despite the recent upheaval at the club and a returning Drogba, he has to remain favourite to grab the goal scoring plaudits.

Cristiano Ronaldo 12 goals

Once the Real Madrid speculation subsided and he recuperated from the ankle surgery, the winger began hitting the back of the net as frenetically as he did last season, even if he didn't appear to celebrate in such an exuberant manner. The most valuable of football commodities, the goalscoring midfielder has still managed to rack up double figures despite missing the first month of the season. Ronaldo's hunger for goals still seems evident, and as he continues to be purveyor of the set-piece arena, his threat to retain goalscoring notoriety should not be understated.

De Souza Robinho 11 goals

The mazy Brazilian signalled the first real spending intent by money bags Man City and he has more than justified his value in front of goal, be it largely in front of the home fans. While the fans continue to shout We got Robinho' and shower him with adulation the Brazilian duly delivers, away from home things are a slightly different matter; Only two goals scored away from home has coincided with City's own bad form

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