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A key narrative of the Premier League season so far is the reduction of goals scored in open play and how teams are netting increasingly from set-plays as an alternative.

Comparing goal sources to matchday 11 last season, we note a drop of 39 scored in open-play and an increase of 26 from set-plays and spot-kicks, leading to 13 less in total.

If we look at the broader view, shot attempts clubs are making show a remarkable 370 fewer in open play than at this stage last season.

And despite the notable jump in dead-ball scores, records show a mere two extra attempts produced from these situations excluding spot-kicks, showing the proficiency sides have been at devising strategies to net from dead-ball situations.

Goal Statistics Show the Tale

Over 300 goals recorded in 110 games so far works out at nearly 2.75 goals per fixture, if maintained for the entire campaign would be the smallest for five years, from five seasons ago (2.69 per game).

However, only 196 goals coming in open play averages out 1.78 per fixture and is tracking to be the least for 16 seasons, back in 2009-10 (1.76 average).

The 2009-10 season additionally represents the sole English top-flight campaign to experience goals scored more often from set-plays excluding penalties than the current rate of 0.77 per game (0.79 average).

Which Sides Are Most Responsible?

Regarding goals scored from open play, Wolves have recorded the largest decrease, netting a mere four in their first 11 fixtures, 10 fewer than this point last season.

Outside of Wolverhampton, the Premier League's fall in goals from open play is predominantly a London thing, with five out of the city's seven teams scoring a minimum of five goals fewer from open-play than the previous year.

In fairness, this is mainly because them netting many scores at the start of last season rather than them having difficulty to convert in open play the current term.

Meanwhile Man City have experienced the largest rise, with almost every one of the 23 they've scored so far originating in open play.

Dead-Ball Dominance

Comparing the promoted teams with those that were relegated they took the place of. Play-off champions Sunderland have scored three more scores in open play than Southampton managed in their opening 11 matches leading to relegation last season.

In terms of goals scored from dead-ball situations (excluding penalties), the Gunners and Chelsea have seen the largest rise, with the two clubs compensating for the reduction of five goals that they've netted in open play with identical figures from dead-ball chances.

United have scored two times more goals from set-pieces as they did in matchday 11 last season prior to Ruben Amorim took charge, while the Black Cats additionally have been better at scoring than the similar-colored team they superseded.

City seem unaware of the memo about increasing scoring from set-pieces, as they've recorded three fewer than last season, as have Forest, though this could be because of the altered approach they've attempted to adopt.

Overall Patterns

Six teams – the Gunners, the Blues, Fulham, Newcastle, Tottenham and West Ham – have been this season's top trend-setters by scoring fewer scores from open-play and additional from set-pieces, while Manchester City are the only side to defy the pattern to date by achieving the complete reverse.

It remains to be seen to observe if sides carry on to depend greatly on set-plays as the campaign progresses or if they find again their overall inventiveness and start scoring increased totals in open play also.