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A major talking point of the EPL this campaign is the reduction of scoring in open play and the way sides are finding goals more from set-pieces instead.

When we compare how goals have been scored to the first 11 games last season, we see 39 fewer scored in open play and an increase of 26 from team set-pieces and penalties, giving us 13 fewer overall.

Examining the bigger picture, shot attempts teams are taking reveal a staggering drop of 370 in open-play than this time last season.

And despite the significant rise in set-piece goals, we've actually seen a mere two extra attempts created from them outside of penalties, demonstrating the efficiency sides have been at discovering methods to net from dead-ball chances.

Goal Statistics Show the Tale

The 301 goals recorded in 110 matches to date calculates at 2.74 goals each match, if maintained for all 38 games might be the least for half a decade, since 2020-21 (2.69).

But just under 200 goals coming in open play averages out 1.78 per fixture and is tracking to be the least for 16 years, back in 2009-10 (1.76).

That campaign additionally represents the unique EPL season to see goals scored more often from set-plays excluding penalties than this season's rate of 0.77 each match (0.79).

Which Sides Bear the Most Responsibility?

In terms of goals scored from open-play, Wolves have experienced the largest decrease, netting just four in 11 games, a reduction of 10 than at this stage the previous campaign.

Outside of Wolves, England's top division's drop in open play goals is predominantly a London phenomenon, with half of the capital's seven sides scoring five or more goals fewer from open play than the prior season.

In fairness, that's largely down to them netting numerous scores at the beginning of the previous campaign as opposed to their genuine struggle to find the net in open play this campaign.

Conversely Manchester City have recorded the biggest increase, with almost every one of the 23 they've scored so far originating in open-play.

Set-Piece Success

We've compared clubs that came up with the relegated sides they took the place of. Play-off champions Sunderland have recorded three extra goals in open play than the Saints did in matchday 11 on their way to the drop last season.

When it comes to goals scored from dead-ball situations (not counting spot-kicks), Arsenal and Chelsea have experienced the most significant jump, with both sides replacing the five fewer scores that they've netted in open play with the same number from set-pieces.

United have netted two times more goals from set-pieces as they achieved in the 11 games the previous campaign prior to their coach assumed control, while Sunderland once more are more successful at netting than the fellow red-and-whites they superseded.

City appear not to have received the memo about netting additional goals from set-plays, because they've scored three fewer than last season, as have the Reds, even if that might be down to the change in style they're working to install.

General Tendencies

Six clubs – the Gunners, the Blues, Fulham, the Magpies, Spurs and the Hammers – are this term's primary examples by netting less goals from open-play and more from set-plays, while Manchester City are the unique club to buck the trend up to now by performing the complete reverse.

It remains to be seen to observe if sides persist to place such emphasis on set-plays as the season goes on or if they regain their general attacking flair and commence converting additional scores in open play as well.