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A major talking point of the Premier League season so far is the reduction of scoring in open play and how sides are finding goals increasingly from set-pieces as an alternative.

Looking at scoring methods to the initial 11 matches last season, we see a drop of 39 scored in open play and 26 more from set-plays and spot-kicks, giving us 13 less overall.

Considering the bigger picture, shot attempts teams are taking show a remarkable 370 fewer in open-play than at this stage last time out.

Regardless of the big increase in dead-ball scores, records show only two additional shots generated from these situations outside of spot-kicks, demonstrating the proficiency clubs have been at finding ways to score from dead-ball chances.

Goal Averages Reveal a Story

301 total goals notched in 110 games so far works out at 2.74 scores per game, which if it continued for all 38 games could be the least for half a decade, since 2020-21 (2.69 average).

However, only 196 scores scored in open play translates to 1.78 each match and is on course to be the lowest for since 2009-10, from 16 years ago (1.76).

The 2009-10 season also marks the only Premier League season to witness scoring at a higher rate from non-penalty set-pieces than this campaign's frequency of 0.77 each match (0.79 average).

What Clubs Account for This Change?

In terms of scoring from open play, Wolverhampton Wanderers have recorded the largest decline, scoring just four in 11 games, a reduction of 10 than at this stage the previous campaign.

Outside of Wolverhampton, the EPL's decline in goals from open play is largely a trend among London clubs, with half of the capital's seven sides scoring a minimum of five goals fewer from open play than the prior season.

In fairness, this is mainly because them scoring many scores at the early stages of last season instead of them really struggling to find the net in open play the current term.

Conversely City have experienced the most significant jump, with almost every one of the 23 they've scored this season arriving in open-play.

Set-Piece Success

Looking at the promoted teams with the teams that went down that they superseded. Play-off winners Sunderland have scored an additional three scores in open-play than the Saints did in matchday 11 en route to relegation last season.

Regarding goals scored from dead-ball situations (not counting penalties), the Gunners and the Blues have recorded the most significant jump, with both sides compensating for the five less goals that they've produced in open play with identical figures from set-pieces.

Manchester United have recorded double the number goals from set-pieces as they managed in the 11 games last season ahead of their coach took charge, while Sunderland additionally are more successful at converting than the fellow red-and-whites they replaced.

Man City seem unaware of the message about netting additional goals from set-pieces, because they've netted a reduction of three than last season, as have Forest, even if that might be down to the change in style they have tried to implement.

General Tendencies

Six teams – Arsenal, Chelsea, the Cottagers, the Magpies, Tottenham and West Ham – represent this season's top trend-setters by netting less scores from open-play and increased from set-plays, while City represent the unique club to buck the trend so far by achieving the contrary.

It remains to be seen to watch if clubs continue to depend greatly on set-pieces as the season goes on or if they find again their overall inventiveness and start scoring additional scores in open play also.