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A key narrative of the EPL this campaign is the drop of goals scored in open play and how teams are netting increasingly from set-pieces instead.

When we compare scoring methods to the initial 11 matches last season, we see a drop of 39 scored in open play and an increase of 26 from set-plays and penalties, giving us 13 less overall.

Examining the broader view, efforts on goal clubs are making reveal an incredible drop of 370 in open-play than this time previously.

Regardless of the big increase in set-piece goals, there have actually been a mere two extra attempts produced from them excluding penalties, demonstrating the proficiency sides are at finding ways to net from dead-ball situations.

Goal Averages Reveal the Tale

Over 300 goals recorded in 110 matches so far calculates at 2.74 goals each match, which if it continued for the whole season could be the lowest for five years, since 2020-21 (2.69 per game).

But just under 200 goals scored in open-play translates to 1.78 per game and is heading to be the least for since 2009-10, since 2009-10 (1.76 per game).

2009-10 is also the only Premier League 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 per game).

Which Sides Account for This Change?

When it comes to scoring from open-play, Wolverhampton Wanderers have recorded by far the biggest decrease, netting just four in 11 games, 10 less than at this stage last season.

Outside of Wolverhampton, the Premier League's drop in goals from open play is largely a London phenomenon, with five of the London's seven clubs netting at least five goals fewer from open play than the prior season.

In fairness, that's largely down to them netting many goals at the early stages of last season instead of them really struggling to convert in open-play this campaign.

Conversely Man City have recorded the biggest increase, with all but one of their 23 scores to date originating in open-play.

Set-Play Proficiency

Looking at clubs that came up with those that were relegated they took the place of. Play-off champions Sunderland have recorded an additional three goals in open play than Southampton did in their first 11 games leading to relegation last season.

In terms of scoring from set-pieces (not counting penalties), the Gunners and Chelsea have recorded the biggest increase, with both sides compensating for the five less scores that they've scored in open-play with the same number from dead-ball chances.

Man United have netted double the number scores from set-pieces as they achieved in the first 11 matches last season before their coach assumed control, while the Black Cats additionally are better at netting than the fellow red-and-whites that went down.

City don't seem to have got the message about netting additional goals from set-plays, as they've recorded three less than the previous campaign, similar to the Reds, even if that might be down to the change in style they've attempted to adopt.

League-Wide Trends

Six clubs – the Gunners, the Blues, the Cottagers, Newcastle, Spurs and West Ham – are the current campaign's primary examples by netting less goals from open-play and more from set-pieces, while Man City are the sole team to buck the trend to date by doing the complete reverse.

It remains to be seen to watch if teams continue to depend greatly on set-plays as matches continue or if they find again their all-round creativity and begin netting more goals in open play too.