LONDON — Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been voted as the footballer of the year by the Football Writers' Association, the latest accolade for the English Premier League's top scorer.

The award comes a week after Salah was voted as player of the year by his fellow professionals.

He leads the scoring chart on 31, four more than nearest rival Harry Kane.

The Egypt international beat Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne to the football writers' award, with the winning margin fewer than 20 votes. He becomes the first African winner of an award that has been running since 1948.

Salah has 43 goals in 48 appearances in all competitions this season.