Goalscoring is the game; football is the moniker. In the beautiful game, teams can score in a variety of ways, ranging from a brilliant team goal to a spectacular howitzer from 20 to 30 yards out.
But few things are more satisfying than a well-drilled set-piece, whether it comes from a corner or a free kick. In recent years, the increased focus on set pieces—especially during backstage training sessions—has become more apparent.
However, which Premier League team benefits the most from such circumstances? Here is a ranking of all 20 Premier League teams by the number of league goals they have scored from set-piece situations thus far this season, using statistics from WhoScored.
Goalscoring is the game; football is the moniker. In the beautiful game, teams can score in a variety of ways, ranging from a brilliant team goal to a spectacular howitzer from 20 to 30 yards out.
But few things are more satisfying than a well-drilled set-piece, whether it comes from a corner or a free kick. In recent years, the increased focus on set pieces—especially during backstage training sessions—has become more apparent.
However, which Premier League team benefits the most from such circumstances? Here is a ranking of all 20 Premier League teams by the number of league goals they have scored from set-piece situations thus far this season, using statistics from WhoScored.
20-16 Wolves, Fulham, Southampton, Liverpool, and Ipswich
Fulham, who have only scored one goal from a set-piece this season, is the first team to start with a tendency to struggle with establishing their authority from set-piece situations. But so far, they are doing significantly better than expected, so it hasn’t hurt them. The seasons that Southampton and Liverpool have had thus far couldn’t be more dissimilar. With two goals apiece, the two teams have had comparable success from set pieces, with the former leading the Premier League table and the latter finishing bottom in the division.
It will be difficult for Ipswich Town to stay in the Premier League this season, and they will need to improve their set-piece performance if they are to have any chance of escaping relegation. They’ve scored four goals from set pieces so far.
Wolverhampton Wanderers is the last team listed in this bottom section. The club has had a terrible start to the season, but things have started to improve after Vitor Pereira was hired and Gary O’Neil was fired. So far this season, they have scored four goals from set pieces, including one against Manchester United straight off a corner.
Set-Piece Goal Rankings for All Premier League Teams: 20-16
Rank
Group
Set-piece objectives
20.
Fulham
One
19.
Liverpool
2.
18.
Southampton
2.
17.
Town of Ipswich
4.
16.
Wanderers of Wolverhampton
4.
15–11 Manchester City, Manchester United, Brentford, Brighton, and Leicester City
Leicester City is another team that only has four set-piece goals. Since making a comeback to the top division this season, the Foxes have had difficulties. Ruud van Nistelrooy’s arrival hasn’t produced the results they were expecting for, and they will have a difficult time avoiding relegation.
Moving on to teams with five goals from set pieces, Brentford and Brighton have both had remarkably strong Premier League season debuts, but they have performed comparatively mediocrely in this category. Maybe that’s just a testament to their performances in open play, rather than anything else.
Next up is Manchester City. Set pieces are not necessary for Pep Guardiola’s team because they are typically so clinical from open play. Their difficulties this season, however, indicate that they would profit greatly from some assistance. Manchester United completes the lower half of the set-piece table, joining them.
Set-Piece Goal Rankings for All Premier League Teams: 15–11
Rank
Group
Set-piece objectives
15.
City of Leicester
4.
14.
Brighton
5.
13.
Brentford
5.
12.
City of Manchester
5.
11.
United Manchester
5.
10-6 Bournemouth, Tottenham, Everton, Chelsea, and Newcastle
Newcastle United and Chelsea, who have each scored five goals from set pieces this season, are just outside the top ten. As of this writing, the two teams are positioned close to the top of the standings after having strong seasons thus far. Everton has scored six goals from set pieces thus far, demonstrating some success from them like a true Sean Dyche team. Tottenham Hotspur is the only other team with that total.
Ange Postecoglou’s team, which is regarded as one of the league’s most entertaining football sides, has scored goals frequently and from a number of different sources, including set pieces. Bournemouth is the first of several clubs with seven set-piece goals. The Cherries have been playing far better than expected, and their success from free kicks and corners has been essential to that.
Each Premier League team is ranked 10–6 based on set-piece goals.
Rank
Group
Set-piece objectives
10.
Newcastle
5.
9.
Chelsea
5.
8.
Everton
6.
7.
Tottenham Hotspur
6.
6.
The Bournemouth
7.
5-1 Arsenal, West Ham, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest is the first team to enter the top five. Everyone has been astounded by Nuno Espirito Santo’s team’s performance thus far this season. They were predicted to be relegated again, but now they are in the Champions League and have seven goals from set pieces.
Despite having a poor season thus far, West Ham and Forest are deadlocked on seven set-piece goals. Aston Villa, led by Unai Emery, joins the Hammers. Crystal Palace is one goal ahead of them. Compared to their performance the previous season, the Eagles have regressed, but without their eight set-piece goals thus far, things could have gone much worse.
The Premier League table’s joint-second-place team, Arsenal, is at the top of the standings here. The Gunners’ strong return, which now stands at 10 following their triumph over Brentford, is mostly due to their famed set-piece specialist Nicolas Jover and frequently Gabriel Magalhaes.
Set-Piece Goals for Every Premier League Team: 5-1
Rank
Group
Set-piece objectives
5.
Forest of Nottingham
7.
4.
West Ham
7.
3.
Villa Aston
7.
2.
The Crystal Palace
8.
1.
The Arsenal
10.
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