Are You Not Being Entertained? The Drop of the Goal Scoring
One of the biggest stories of the EPL this campaign concerns the decline of goals scored in open play and how clubs have been scoring more from set-pieces as an alternative.
Comparing scoring methods to the first 11 games last season, we note a drop of 39 scored in open-play and 26 more from set-plays and spot-kicks, giving us 13 less altogether.
Considering the bigger picture, the number of shots sides are producing reveal an incredible 370 fewer in open-play than this time last season.
Regardless of the notable jump in set-play finishes, records show just two more attempts produced from them excluding penalties, indicating the proficiency clubs are at discovering methods to net from dead-ball chances.
Goal Averages Reveal the Tale
Over 300 goals scored in the first 110 fixtures up to now calculates at 2.74 scores each match, if this persists for all 38 games would be the lowest for five years, from five seasons ago (2.69).
However, only under 200 goals scored in open play averages out 1.78 each match and is heading to be the smallest for 16 seasons, from 16 years ago (1.76).
That campaign additionally represents the sole English top-flight campaign to see goals scored more often from non-penalty set-pieces than the current rate of 0.77 each match (0.79).
Which Teams Bear the Most Responsibility?
Regarding scoring from open play, Wolverhampton Wanderers have recorded the largest decline, netting a mere four in 11 games, 10 fewer than at this stage last season.
Outside of Wolves, England's top division's decline in goals from open play is very much a trend among London clubs, with five out of the capital's seven sides recording a minimum of five fewer goals from open-play than the prior season.
To be fair, that's largely down to them scoring many scores at the beginning of the previous campaign rather than them really struggling to score in open-play the current term.
Conversely City have seen the most significant jump, with nearly all of their 23 goals this season coming in open play.
Dead-Ball Dominance
We've compared newly promoted sides with those that were relegated they took the place of. Sunderland Sunderland have scored three extra scores in open play than the Saints managed in their opening 11 matches leading to relegation the previous campaign.
When it comes to goals scored from dead-ball situations (not counting spot-kicks), Arsenal and Chelsea have recorded the most significant jump, with each team compensating for the five less goals that they've produced in open-play with identical figures from dead-ball situations.
United have recorded twice as many goals from set-pieces as they did in the first 11 matches last season prior to the manager assumed control, while the Black Cats additionally have been more effective at netting than the club they replaced they superseded.
Man City don't seem to have got the memo about increasing scoring from set-pieces, since they've recorded three fewer than last season, as have Forest, though this may result from the tactical shift they've attempted to adopt.
General Tendencies
Six clubs – Arsenal, Chelsea, Fulham, the Magpies, Tottenham and the Hammers – are this season's leading trend-followers by netting less scores from open play and more from set-pieces, while Manchester City represent the unique club to go against the grain so far by doing the contrary.
It will be interesting to see if teams carry on to place such emphasis on set-pieces as the season goes on or if they rediscover their all-round creativity and begin converting increased totals in open play as well.
