Goal rush this Premier League season

It took until late September last year for Chelsea to hit the 14-goal mark. They went on to score 103 then, thus becoming the first club to cross the 100-goal mark in one Premier League season.

However, if their recent form is any evidence to go by, then be prepared for yet another season of high scoring in the Premier League, led by Didier Drogba and Co.

Such has been the firepower shown by Chelsea and Arsenal, that Sepp Blatter may soon be urged to add tennis idiom ‘bagel’ (six-love score line) as a new phrase to the football glossary.

During the two decades of the League, a 6-0 win had been recorded only 17 times. But within the first eight days of the new season, it is a result that has already occurred four times.

That the goals have come from Roman Abramovich’s stable isn’t a surprise, neither is Arsenal’s 6-0 thrashing Blackpool. But Newcastle thrashing Aston Villa by half a dozen, or Blackpool whipping Wigan by four on day one! Who would have predicted that?

Matches this season are already averaging more than three goals a game, a ratio that far exceeds the record season when 1,060 goals were scored at a rate of 2.79 per game. After a World Cup notable for negative tactics and defensive excellence, what explains this extraordinary start to the Premier League?

Goalkeeping blunders and poor defending can be pointed out as a couple of reasons. There has been no shortage of evidence so far this season for those who argue that the general standard of EPL goalkeeping has never been lower, experts say.

Mistakes like Scott Carson’s fumble against Chelsea might have been expected from a ‘keeper in one of the less fashionable teams, but even a player of Pepe Reina’s stature has already cost his team two points with a dreadful blunder. Bob Wilson, the former Arsenal goalkeeper, argues that there are few modern-day greats. “Pepe Reina is the most consistent, but I don’t think there are any ’keepers out there anymore who are like a Pat Jennings or Peter Shilton,” he was quoted as saying recently.

Former Manchester United defender Gary Pallister, however, believes the new rules introduced are favouring the strikers more.
“The lighter balls, for example, introduced this season are a central cause for defensive problems. Also, more than ever this season, it also appears that the benefit of doubt is with attackers, whether on off-sides, penalty-decisions or sendings-off.”

Every change to the rules or new instructions for referees, say experts, aid the attackers. From lighter balls to better balls, the changes in equipment are in favour of the striker.

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has his own theory. The Frenchman has noted there is often willingness from the promoted clubs to attack and play football in the first half of the season when the fear of relegation is less obvious. Among the teams expected to struggle, there are also an unusually high number renowned for an expansive brand of football.

Whether the teams continue to play this attacking brand of football is a million dollar question. But the early burst by Chelsea has already given them an edge in the title race, with their goal difference being double than Arsenal’s, who are placed second.

“We have seen that in the past as well. There is this energy they show early on. But to sustain that momentum is difficult. As the season progresses, the number of goals may reduce. But these many goals early on in the season of course will prove handy later,” pointed out Wenger.