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One of the biggest stories of the Premier League season so far has been the drop of goals scored in open play and the way teams are netting more from set-plays instead.

When we compare scoring methods to the first 11 games the prior season, there have been a drop of 39 goals in open-play and 26 more from set-plays and spot-kicks, leading to 13 fewer altogether.

If we look at the broader view, efforts on goal teams are taking reveal an incredible 370 fewer in open-play than at this stage previously.

And despite the big increase in set-piece goals, there have actually been just two more shots generated from these situations outside of penalties, demonstrating how effective clubs are at finding ways to net from dead-ball chances.

Goal Statistics Show the Tale

The 301 goals scored in 110 matches up to now averages out at 2.74 goals each match, which if it continued for all 38 games would be the lowest for since 2020-21, since 2020-21 (2.69 average).

However, only under 200 goals scored in open-play translates to 1.78 each match and is on course to be the lowest for 16 years, from 16 years ago (1.76).

2009-10 additionally represents the unique EPL season to witness scoring more often from set-plays excluding penalties than this season's rate of 0.77 per game (0.79 per game).

Which Teams Bear the Most Responsibility?

When it comes to goals scored from open play, Wolverhampton Wanderers have seen the most significant decrease, scoring only four in 11 matches, 10 less than at this stage last season.

Apart from Wolves, England's top division's decline in goals from open play is very much a trend among London clubs, with five of the London's seven clubs netting at least five fewer goals from open play than the prior season.

To be fair, this is mainly because them scoring lots of goals at the early stages of last season rather than them really struggling to score in open-play this season.

At the same time Manchester City have experienced the largest rise, with nearly all of the 23 they've scored to date arriving in open play.

Set-Piece Success

Comparing clubs that came up with those that were relegated that they superseded. Play-off winners the Black Cats have recorded an additional three scores in open-play than Southampton achieved in their opening 11 matches en route to relegation last season.

Regarding scoring from set-pieces (excluding penalties), the Gunners and Chelsea have experienced 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 set-pieces.

Manchester United have recorded twice as many goals from set-pieces as they managed in the first 11 matches the previous campaign prior to their coach took over, while the Black Cats once more are more successful at netting than the fellow red-and-whites they replaced.

Man City seem unaware of the message about scoring more from set-plays, as they've recorded three fewer than the previous campaign, as have Nottingham Forest, although that might be down to the change in style they've attempted to adopt.

Overall Patterns

Six clubs – Arsenal, Chelsea, Fulham, Newcastle, Tottenham and the Hammers – have been this term's primary examples by scoring fewer scores from open-play and more from set-pieces, while Man City are the unique club to go against the grain so far by performing the complete reverse.

It remains to be seen to see if clubs carry on to rely so heavily on set-plays as the campaign progresses or if they regain their general attacking flair and commence converting increased totals in open play as well.