After today's match I went online to do some research on how many set piece goals we've scored in the PL over the past 5 years and see if there's any correlation in # of set piece goals scored and our standings in the league. It's very rudimentary stuff but thought the findings were pretty interesting nevertheless. Not saying we should be a West Brom wannabe or anything but opening a different avenue for goals (set pieces) have been a net positive on the league standings.
2017/18 Set Piece Goals (3 Matches)(Mourinho)(TBD)*
Corner Kicks: 2
Free Kicks (Crossed): 1
Total Goals Scored (Set Piece Goals/Total Goals): 10 (30%)
2016/17 Set Piece Goals (38 Matches)(Mourinho)(6th)
Corner Kicks: 4
Free Kicks (Crossed): 2
Total Goals Scored (Set Piece Goals/Total Goals): 54 (11%)
2015/16 Set Piece Goals (38 Matches)(LVG)(5th)
Corner Kicks: 4
Free Kicks (Crossed): 2
Total Goals Scored (Set Piece Goals/Total Goals): 49 (12%)
2014/15 Set Piece Goals (38 Matches)(LVG)(4th)
Corner Kicks: 6
Free Kicks (Crossed): 4
Total Goals Scored (Set Piece Goals/Total Goals): 62 (16%)
2013/14 Set Piece Goals (38 Matches)(Moyes)(7th)
Corner Kicks: 3
Free Kicks (Crossed): 3
Total Goals Scored (Set Piece Goals/Total Goals): 64 (9%)
2012/13 Set Piece Goals (38 Matches)(Sir Alex)(1st)
Corner Kicks: 15
Free Kicks (Crossed): 6
Total Goals Scored (Set Piece Goals/Total Goals): 86 (24%)
Source: Squawka
Note: Set Piece Goals on Squawka includes Direct/Indirect Free-kicks and Penalties which are omitted here.
Noticed Some Interesting Statistics
posted on 27/8/17
'2012/13 Set Piece Goals (38 Matches)(Sir Alex)(1st)
Corner Kicks: 15
Free Kicks (Crossed): 6'
Yikes. Shows how much we have deteriorated in that regard since the great man left.
posted on 27/8/17
I think to get a true view you need to compare that as a percentage of our totals goals. I would guess that overall we have been scoring less goals and that the set piece percentage hasn't changed significantly.
posted on 27/8/17
comment by The_Red_Cognoscente (U9741)
posted 56 minutes ago
'2012/13 Set Piece Goals (38 Matches)(Sir Alex)(1st)
Corner Kicks: 15
Free Kicks (Crossed): 6'
Yikes. Shows how much we have deteriorated in that regard since the great man left.
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I'm almost certain that season was an outlier... Pretty much all down to RvP and his fantastic deliveries, making average headers of the ball danger man... What a player. Imagine how many more goals he could have scored that season if he could have been on the receiving end of that quality.
OP any data on the preceding seasons for comparison sake?
posted on 27/8/17
During Fergies reign players like Vidic were allowed to grapple and wrestle during set pieces, they weren't allowed to do that after Fergie retired.
posted on 27/8/17
Was this also the season when Evra, the smallest man on the pitch, kept scoring from set pieces too?
I believe he got 5 that season? [2012-13]
posted on 27/8/17
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 27/8/17
@Faran Updated to reflect Total Goals Scored and %
@Memphis_bleek I wish I could find some more data from SAF's reign but 2012 is the farthest back Squawka went.
@Scruttocks I'm pretty sure Vidic has a license to kill if necessary. Otherwise, I'm not sure what that chant is about
@DarkPhoenix He had 4 goals in the PL. All came from variety of open play opportunities it seems. I couldn't find a set piece goal from him.
@Dave You're right, why am I doing Hafi's job?!