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One of the biggest stories of the EPL this campaign is the reduction of scoring in open-play scenarios and the way sides are netting more from set-plays instead.

Looking at goal sources to the initial 11 matches the prior season, there have been 39 fewer scored in open play and an increase of 26 from set-plays and penalties, resulting in 13 fewer in total.

Examining overall statistics, shot attempts teams are taking reveal a staggering drop of 370 in open-play than this time last time out.

Regardless of the significant rise in dead-ball scores, we've actually seen only two additional attempts produced from them excluding spot-kicks, demonstrating the proficiency sides are at discovering methods to convert from dead-ball situations.

Goal Statistics Reveal an Interesting Narrative

301 total goals recorded in 110 games so far works out at nearly 2.75 goals per fixture, if this persists for the entire campaign might be the smallest for since 2020-21, back in 2020-21 (2.69 average).

However, only under 200 goals scored in open play translates to 1.78 per fixture and is tracking to be the least for 16 years, back in 2009-10 (1.76 per game).

2009-10 additionally represents the sole English top-flight campaign to witness scoring more frequently from set-plays excluding penalties than this season's rate of 0.77 each match (0.79).

Which Teams Bear the Most Responsibility?

When it comes to scoring from open play, Wolves have recorded the most significant drop, registering just four in 11 matches, 10 fewer than this point last season.

Excluding Wolves, the Premier League's drop in goals from open play is predominantly a trend among London clubs, with half of the London's seven clubs scoring five or more goals fewer from open-play than last season.

Honestly, that's largely down to them netting many scores at the early stages of last season instead of them having difficulty to find the net in open play the current term.

Conversely Man City have recorded the biggest increase, with almost every one of the 23 they've scored this season arriving in open play.

Set-Piece Success

Comparing the promoted teams with the relegated sides they replaced. Sunderland Sunderland have netted an additional three goals in open play than the Saints did in matchday 11 on their way to the drop last season.

Regarding scoring from set-pieces (excluding spot-kicks), the Gunners and Chelsea have recorded the most significant jump, with the two clubs replacing the reduction of five goals that they've scored in open play with an equal amount from dead-ball chances.

Man United have netted twice as many goals from set-pieces as they did in matchday 11 the previous campaign prior to their coach took charge, while Sunderland additionally prove more successful at netting than the similar-colored team that went down.

Manchester City appear not to have received the memo about netting additional goals from set-pieces, as they've netted three less than last season, as have Forest, although this could be because of the change in style they're working to install.

League-Wide Trends

Six teams – the Gunners, the Blues, Fulham, the Magpies, Tottenham and West Ham – have been this term's leading trend-followers by recording fewer scores from open play and increased from set-pieces, while Man City stand as the sole team to buck the trend so far by achieving the exact opposite.

It will be interesting to watch if clubs persist to place such emphasis on set-plays as matches continue or if they find again their general attacking flair and commence scoring increased totals in open-play also.