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A major talking point of England's top flight this campaign concerns the reduction of goals scored in open play and the way sides have been scoring more from set-plays as an alternative.

Looking at how goals have been scored to the first 11 games last season, there have been 39 fewer scored in open-play and an increase of 26 from set-plays and spot-kicks, giving us 13 less overall.

If we look at the bigger picture, efforts on goal sides are producing have seen a remarkable drop of 370 in open-play than this time last season.

Regardless of the big increase in set-piece goals, we've actually seen only two additional attempts generated from these situations excluding spot-kicks, indicating the efficiency teams have been at devising strategies to score from dead-ball chances.

Goal Averages Tell an Interesting Narrative

Over 300 goals recorded in 110 games so far averages out at 2.74 scores per game, if maintained for all 38 games could be the least for five years, back in 2020-21 (2.69 per game).

However, only 196 scores coming in open play averages out 1.78 per game and is heading to be the lowest for 16 years, back in 2009-10 (1.76 average).

That campaign is also the sole English top-flight season to experience goals scored more frequently from set-plays excluding penalties than the current rate of 0.77 each match (0.79 average).

What Clubs Are Most Responsible?

Regarding goals scored from open play, Wolves have seen the most significant decrease, registering a mere four in 11 matches, 10 fewer than this point last season.

Excluding Wolves, the Premier League's drop in goals from open play is very much a trend among London clubs, with five of the capital's seven sides scoring a minimum of five fewer goals from open-play than last season.

Honestly, that's largely down to them scoring many scores at the start of last season instead of them really struggling to convert in open play this campaign.

At the same time City have seen the largest rise, with almost every one of their 23 scores this season coming in open play.

Set-Play Proficiency

Looking at newly promoted sides with those that were relegated they took the place of. Play-off winners Sunderland have netted three more goals in open-play than Southampton did in their opening 11 matches leading to relegation the previous campaign.

Regarding goals scored from set-plays (aside from penalties), the Gunners and the Blues have recorded the largest rise, with the two clubs making up for the five fewer scores that they've netted in open play with identical figures from dead-ball situations.

United have scored two times more goals from set-pieces as they managed in the first 11 matches the previous campaign prior to their coach took charge, while the Black Cats additionally prove more effective at netting than the club they replaced that went down.

Manchester City don't seem to have got the message about netting additional goals from set-pieces, since they've netted three less than the previous campaign, as have the Reds, although that might be down to the altered approach they're working to install.

Overall Patterns

Six teams – Arsenal, the Blues, Fulham, Newcastle, Spurs and West Ham – have been the current campaign's leading trend-followers by recording fewer goals from open play and increased from set-plays, while Man City represent the only side to buck the trend so far by achieving the contrary.

It will be fascinating to observe if teams carry on to place such emphasis on set-plays as the season goes on or if they regain their all-round creativity and begin converting additional scores in open-play too.