The 301 goals scored in 110 games so far represent an average of 2.74 goals per game, which if continued throughout the season would be the lowest in five years, since 2020-21 (2.69).
But just 196 goals scored in open play averages 1.78 per game and is on track to be the lowest in 16 years, since 2009-10 (1.76).
2009-10 is also the only Premier League campaign in which more goals are scored from set pieces without penalties than this season’s rate of 0.77 per game (0.79).
So which teams are most responsible for this change in goal scoring this season?
In terms of goals scored from open play, Wolves have experienced by far the biggest decline, scoring just four in 11 games, 10 fewer than at this point last season.
Outside of Wolves, the decline in goals from open play in the Premier League is largely a London issue, with five of the capital’s seven teams scoring at least five fewer goals from open play than last season.
To be fair, that’s largely because they scored a lot of goals at the start of last season rather than them really struggling to score from open play this campaign.
Meanwhile, Manchester City have seen the biggest increase, with all but one of their 23 goals this season scored from open play.
