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A key narrative of the EPL season so far is the drop of scoring in open-play scenarios and the way teams are netting more from dead-ball situations instead.

Comparing goal sources to the initial 11 matches last season, we see 39 fewer scored in open play and 26 more from team set-pieces and penalties, giving us 13 less overall.

If we look at overall statistics, the number of shots clubs are making reveal an incredible 370 fewer in open play than this time previously.

Even with the notable jump in set-play finishes, there have actually been a mere two extra attempts created from them excluding spot-kicks, indicating the proficiency teams have been at discovering methods to score from dead-ball chances.

Goal Averages Tell the Tale

Over 300 goals scored in 110 matches to date averages out at nearly 2.75 goals per game, if this persists for the entire campaign might be the least for five years, since 2020-21 (2.69 per game).

However, only under 200 goals coming in open play equates to 1.78 each match and is heading to be the least for 16 years, since 2009-10 (1.76).

The 2009-10 season is also the unique EPL campaign to experience scoring at a higher rate from set-plays excluding penalties than the current rate of 0.77 per fixture (0.79 average).

What Clubs Bear the Most Responsibility?

In terms of scoring from open play, Wolves have seen the most significant drop, registering a mere four in their first 11 fixtures, a reduction of 10 than at this stage the previous campaign.

Apart from Wolverhampton, the EPL's decline in open play goals is predominantly a London phenomenon, with half of the capital's seven sides scoring at least five less scores from open play than the prior season.

Honestly, this is primarily due to them netting lots of goals at the beginning of last season instead of their genuine struggle to score in open-play the current term.

Conversely Manchester City have recorded the biggest increase, with all but one of the 23 they've scored this season originating in open-play.

Dead-Ball Dominance

We've compared the promoted teams with those that were relegated that they superseded. Play-off winners Sunderland have recorded three more scores in open-play than Southampton did in their first 11 games on their way to demotion last season.

In terms of scoring from dead-ball situations (not counting spot-kicks), Arsenal and Chelsea have experienced the largest rise, with both sides replacing the reduction of five scores that they've netted in open play with an equal amount from dead-ball situations.

Man United have scored double the number goals from set-pieces as they managed in matchday 11 last season ahead of the manager assumed control, while the Black Cats once more are more effective at converting than the club they replaced they replaced.

Man City seem unaware of the message about increasing scoring from set-pieces, since they've scored three less than last season, like the Reds, though this may result from the altered approach they've attempted to adopt.

Overall Patterns

Six teams – the Gunners, the Blues, the Cottagers, the Magpies, Spurs and West Ham – are this season's leading trend-followers by scoring fewer scores from open-play and more from set-pieces, while City represent the sole team to defy the pattern up to now by doing the exact opposite.

It will be interesting to observe if teams persist to place such emphasis on set-plays as the campaign progresses or if they regain their general attacking flair and commence netting increased totals in open-play as well.