Who is the best striker in the Premier League?

Diego Costa has had a hot start to the season

With Luis Suarez gone to Barcelona in the summer, the title of 'Best Striker in the Premier League' is very much up for grabs. Alex Johnson looks at the runners and riders.

Suarez was the focal point of a devastatingly effective Liverpool attack last season as he so nearly carried the Reds to the ultimate glory.

Prior to that, Robin van Persie inspired Manchester United to a swansong title for the retiring Sir Alex Ferguson.

After a quarter of the season, we assess some of the goal-getters auditioning to follow in their footsteps.

Chelsea's striker troubles have well and truly ended with the arrival of Diego Costa. The Spaniard burst from the blocks scoring seven times in four outings.

The former Atletico Madrid man has had his progress checked somewhat by troublesome hamstrings but it has still been a hugely impressive opening to his career in England.

Costa is a burly powerful centre forward and in truth he looks like he was born to play in England. He has been a handful for any defence he has faced. He has the knack of being in the right place at the right time and best of all; he rarely misses when an opportunity presents itself.

With Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas supplying the ammunition, Costa could easily finish the campaign with a Premier League golden boot.

There has been a huge sense of relief around Stamford Bridge with his arrival, following the trials and tribulations of Fernando Torres and Demba Ba.

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Costa stole the early season limelight but Man City's Sergio Aguero has really hit form in the last month.

The champions have struggled, but their Argentine striker appears immune to the slump affecting the Etihad squad.

Aguero really caught fire in scoring all four goals in the home win over Spurs in October. Since then he has netted a further three times in three games including the derby winner against Man United.

Manuel Pellegrini is coming under increased pressure as City lurch from one setback to another and Aguero is almost singlehandedly keeping City's season from derailing completely.

With 12 league goals to his name already, the 26-year-old is on course to better his previous best return of 23 in his first season in England.

His double against QPR at Loftus was the latest illustration of how Aguero can confound the form of his teammates to keep City at the races.

Graziano Pelle did not arrive in England with any of the fanfare or expectation that accompanied Costa but the Italian has been just as impressive at Southampton.

Ronald Koeman had previous experience of the striker at Feyenoord and the 8m fee already looks to be money very well spent.

Pelle is a penalty box poacher and has scored six times as the Saints have soared to second in the table.

He is far from a one-trick pony however, as shown in the spectacular winning goal he scored against QPR at St Marys in September.

Pelle is not the only one to spring from the shadows this season.

West Brom's Saido Berahino has grabbed the headlines in scoring seven times for the Baggies and earning a call-up to Roy Hodgson's England squad in the process.

The 21-year-old has displayed a very impressive level of composure in front of goal, applying surgical finishes like the one that helped secure a 2-2 draw with Man Utd at the Hawthorns.

Sam Allardyce got the chequebook this summer to strengthen his lot at Upton Park and West Ham have reaped the rewards. Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia joined the Hammers with Andy Carroll on the sidelines and both have impressed.

Sakho gets the nod over his teammate at this point, having scored in five consecutive league games during September and October.

With the crucial Christmas period just around the corner, Aguero has stolen a march on his rivals and earns top marks as things stand. The City striker looks like scoring almost every time the ball is at his feet.

Costa will no doubt continue to get the goals while the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Radamel Falcao could have their say if injury permits them a clear run in the months ahead.