The Premier League has witnessed a significant shift in the way goals are scored this season. According to data, teams have been scoring fewer goals from open play and more from set-piece situations, with penalties being an even more preferred method of scoring.
In the first 11 games of the current season, there have been 39 fewer goals scored from open play compared to the same period last year, while a notable increase in goals from team set-pieces and penalties has resulted in a total of 13 fewer goals. This trend is consistent with data on shots taken, which shows that teams are now taking significantly fewer shots in open play than they did at this stage last season - a staggering 370 fewer.
Despite the rise in set-piece goals, the statistics reveal a concerning lack of creativity among Premier League players. Teams have managed to generate only two more shots from non-penalty set-pieces, demonstrating their effectiveness in exploiting dead-ball situations. As a result, goals scored from open play are averaging at 1.78 per game, which would be the lowest for 16 years if this trend continues.
Notably, teams that replaced promoted sides with relegated ones have seen improved goal-scoring statistics from open play. Sunderland, who replaced Southampton in the Premier League, has recorded more goals from open play than their predecessor did during the same period last season.
Meanwhile, top-performing teams such as Arsenal and Chelsea, which replaced lower-placed teams, have increased their scoring from set-piece situations. Manchester United has seen a dramatic improvement with twice as many goals scored from set-pieces as they had in the 11 games before Ruben Amorim took over. Sunderland's success can be attributed to their ability to capitalize on set-piece opportunities.
However, it is essential to note that not all teams have adhered to this trend. Manchester City and Nottingham Forest are exceptions, scoring fewer goals from set-pieces than they did during the same period last season.
The Premier League has witnessed a shift towards a more defensive-oriented approach, which could be detrimental to the overall excitement of the game if teams continue to rely heavily on set-piece situations to score goals.
In the first 11 games of the current season, there have been 39 fewer goals scored from open play compared to the same period last year, while a notable increase in goals from team set-pieces and penalties has resulted in a total of 13 fewer goals. This trend is consistent with data on shots taken, which shows that teams are now taking significantly fewer shots in open play than they did at this stage last season - a staggering 370 fewer.
Despite the rise in set-piece goals, the statistics reveal a concerning lack of creativity among Premier League players. Teams have managed to generate only two more shots from non-penalty set-pieces, demonstrating their effectiveness in exploiting dead-ball situations. As a result, goals scored from open play are averaging at 1.78 per game, which would be the lowest for 16 years if this trend continues.
Notably, teams that replaced promoted sides with relegated ones have seen improved goal-scoring statistics from open play. Sunderland, who replaced Southampton in the Premier League, has recorded more goals from open play than their predecessor did during the same period last season.
Meanwhile, top-performing teams such as Arsenal and Chelsea, which replaced lower-placed teams, have increased their scoring from set-piece situations. Manchester United has seen a dramatic improvement with twice as many goals scored from set-pieces as they had in the 11 games before Ruben Amorim took over. Sunderland's success can be attributed to their ability to capitalize on set-piece opportunities.
However, it is essential to note that not all teams have adhered to this trend. Manchester City and Nottingham Forest are exceptions, scoring fewer goals from set-pieces than they did during the same period last season.
The Premier League has witnessed a shift towards a more defensive-oriented approach, which could be detrimental to the overall excitement of the game if teams continue to rely heavily on set-piece situations to score goals.
but I gotta say, it's all about the layout, you know? If I were to design a graphic to represent this shift, I'd use a lot of bold lines and contrasting colors to highlight the decrease in open play goals 
. But seriously though, 1.78 goals per game is crazy low! What happened to those beautiful, skillful finishes from midfield? 
It's like teams are getting too reliant on set-pieces, which is kinda boring if you ask me... I mean, what about the fans who just wanna see some flair and creativity on the pitch? 
Maybe this trend will shift again soon, but for now, it's all about the penalty kick 
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! It's so clever how Sunderland has been making the most of it 
But, I gotta say, I'm a bit worried that teams might be getting too defensive and not enough creative in their gameplay 
. It would be a shame if the beautiful game became just about kicking the ball at the wall instead of having those epic, thrilling moments 
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i dont think dis is a good look for the game we need more creativity n excitement, not just relyin on dead-ball situations. Sunderland's success is cool but u gotta wonder w/ teams that replaced promoted sides w/ relegated ones r gettin more goals from open play why cant they be the norm? 
its like teams r afraid 2 take risks now. Arsenal n Chelsea r doin their thang but what bout the rest of the league?
On the other hand, it's kinda sad that teams aren't being as creative with their shots. It feels like we're missing out on some of that magic that makes football so exciting 
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teams are relying way too much on set-pieces and penalties, it's like they're not even trying to create scoring opportunities from open play #PremierLeague #SetPieceGoals #CreativityMatters
meanwhile, teams that stuck with their original squads are struggling to find consistency #SunderlandRising #TransferMarketWins
teams need to get more creative if they want to stay competitive #CreativityIsKey #SetPieceGoalsAreSoLastSeason
will teams find a way to balance set-pieces with open play, or will we just get more and more defensive matches? only time will tell 
#PremierLeaguePredictions
. The fact that they're scoring fewer goals from open play is a big deal, but it's not like it's a surprise or anything. I mean, teams have always been able to find ways to exploit weaknesses in opposing defenses.
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I mean, what happened to those beautiful long-range shots that make your heart skip a beat? 
Maybe we can learn from their example and get back to creating some real football magic on the pitch? 
...I mean, I get it, penalties and free kicks can be game-changers, but when did we stop trying to create scoring chances through open play? 
...it just doesn't feel like the same Premier League to me 
. Back in my day, we used to call that "parking the bus". But you know what? It was still entertaining! The teams that replaced promoted sides with relegated ones are doing okay, I suppose. Sunderland's got some decent set-piece skills, but it's not like they're suddenly revolutionizing the game 
And Manchester United's transformation is insane!
. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's cool when they're scoring from those types of situations but 16 years ago, you were getting more goals from just open play? That's wild 
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. Like, if you can score goals from set-pieces, that's awesome but maybe we'll miss out on some super cool open-play goals 
teams r scoring fewer goals from open play now which means less excitement for the fans i mean who wants to watch a bunch of players just sitting back waiting 4 set-pieces? 
I guess we'll just have to wait and see how it all plays out!