Is the Entertainment Fading? The Drop of Open-Play Goal Scoring
A major talking point of the Premier League this campaign is the drop of scoring in open-play scenarios and the way clubs have been scoring increasingly from dead-ball situations as an alternative.
Comparing scoring methods to the first 11 games last season, we see a drop of 39 scored in open-play and 26 more from set-plays and penalties, leading to 13 less in total.
If we look at overall statistics, the number of shots clubs are making reveal a remarkable 370 fewer in open play than at this stage last time out.
And despite the big increase in dead-ball scores, we've actually seen just two more shots created from these situations outside of penalties, indicating the efficiency sides are at finding ways to score from set-pieces.
Goal Averages Reveal the Tale
The 301 goals notched in the first 110 fixtures to date works out at nearly 2.75 goals per fixture, which if it continued for the entire campaign might be the smallest for half a decade, from five seasons ago (2.69 average).
However, only 196 goals coming in open play averages out 1.78 each match and is on course to be the lowest for 16 seasons, back in 2009-10 (1.76 per game).
2009-10 additionally represents the unique EPL campaign to see goals scored at a higher rate from set-plays excluding penalties than the current rate of 0.77 per game (0.79 average).
Which Teams Are Most Responsible?
In terms of goals scored from open-play, Wolverhampton Wanderers have seen by far the biggest decline, netting a mere four in their first 11 fixtures, a reduction of 10 than this point the previous campaign.
Excluding Wolverhampton, the EPL's decline in open play goals is very much a London phenomenon, with half of the London's seven clubs scoring a minimum of five goals fewer from open play than the prior season.
Honestly, this is mainly because their scoring numerous goals at the early stages of last season as opposed to them really struggling to find the net in open-play the current term.
Meanwhile City have recorded the biggest increase, with all but one of the 23 they've scored so far arriving in open-play.
Set-Piece Success
Looking at newly promoted sides with the relegated sides that they superseded. Play-off winners Sunderland have recorded three more goals in open-play than Southampton achieved in matchday 11 leading to the drop last season.
In terms of goals scored from set-pieces (aside from penalties), Arsenal and Chelsea have recorded the biggest increase, with the two clubs compensating for the reduction of five scores that they've netted in open play with an equal amount from dead-ball situations.
Man United have scored twice as many goals from set-plays as they managed in matchday 11 last season ahead of their coach assumed control, while the Black Cats additionally have been better at converting than the similar-colored team that went down.
Manchester City appear not to have received the memo about scoring more from set-pieces, because they've scored three less than last season, as have Nottingham Forest, although this could be because of the altered approach they have tried to implement.
League-Wide Trends
Six teams – the Gunners, Chelsea, the Cottagers, the Magpies, Spurs and West Ham – represent this term's leading trend-followers by recording fewer scores from open-play and additional from set-plays, while City stand as the unique club to go against the grain to date by achieving the complete reverse.
It remains to be seen to watch if sides carry on to place such emphasis on set-pieces as the season goes on or if they regain their general attacking flair and commence scoring increased totals in open-play too.