How exciting is the 2023-2024 Premier League?

The English top football league is experiencing its most-scoring and most-red-card season after 14 rounds.

Thirty-eight goals were scored in the 14th round of the Premier League last weekend, bringing the total number of goals scored this season to 442. There were no 0-0 draws, and seven out of ten matches had at least three goals – a figure that occurred in 90 out of 140 matches played (64%). An average of 3.16 goals have been scored per game after the first 14 rounds of the Premier League this season – a record in the league's history.

This is an improvement over the 2022-2023 season, when the average number of goals was 2.85, but it's not surprising. In fact, the last three Premier League seasons have all been among the top four seasons with the highest average number of goals in the league's history. Therefore, the league is indeed trending upwards in terms of the number of goals scored each year.

There are several reasons for this. According to The Athletic , the gap between strong and weak teams in the Premier League is widening, increasing the likelihood of high-scoring matches. In the last three seasons, the average gap between the top and bottom teams has been 66 points. Ten years ago, this figure was 58.

Coaching styles and philosophies also influence goal-scoring rates. Teams today are more willing to take risks. They are ready to build play from the goalkeeper and try to escape pressing. Success or failure, this style of play creates a high chance of scoring.

Jack Grealish scored for Man City in their 3-3 draw against Tottenham last weekend. Photo: Reuters — Jack Grealish scored for Man City in their 3-3 draw against Tottenham last weekend. Photo: *Reuters*

This philosophy took a step further after Roberto De Zerbi took over as Brighton manager at the start of last season. Teams tend to "invite" opponents to contest the ball, which can lead to quick counter-attacks or costly mistakes. In their last 18 Premier League matches, Brighton have either scored or conceded goals, including the first 14 rounds of this season. This is the first time a team has done this in England's top football league since the 1934-1935 season.

However, the Premier League is not the leading league in terms of goals scored among the top five European leagues. The Bundesliga has the highest scoring rate, averaging 3.41 goals per match. The Premier League ranks second, followed by La Liga (2.76 goals), Serie A (2.59), and Ligue 1 (2.53).

The new injury time rules also increase the chances of scoring. A large amount of time is added to matches to ensure ball possession. Players are now under more pressure at the end of the game, and fewer and fewer matches end with both teams at full strength.

There have been 31 red cards shown in 140 matches this season. That's more than the 2022-2023 season, which saw 30 red cards across 380 matches. For those who prefer pragmatic football, tight play, and goalless draws, this might be an appealing aspect.

Paul Heckingbottom, the recently sacked Sheffield United manager, was perfectly justified in complaining about one or two players' disappointment in the 0-5 defeat to Burnley on December 2nd. Oli McBurnie received two unnecessary yellow cards, resulting in his sending off before halftime. He is the first player to receive two red cards in the Premier League this season.

McBurnie wasn't the only player sent off this past weekend. Midfielder Conor Gallagher also received a second yellow card in the 45th minute, nearly costing Chelsea a 3-2 victory over Brighton. The 31 red cards in just 14 rounds represent a significant jump compared to last season. At the same stage of the 2022-2023 season, the Premier League only had 11 red cards.

At the start of the season, there were suggestions that the Premier League would tend to have fewer and fewer cards. This assessment was made after the 2022-2023 season saw only a total of 17 direct red cards, the fewest in history. However, what happened was completely the opposite.

Referees have been heavily penalizing time-wasting or disruptive play, meaning players are at a higher risk of receiving a yellow card. This season, an average yellow card is issued for every 4.8 fouls, much faster than at the same stage in the previous five seasons.

Card decisions have a significant impact on matches. In Round 11, as the only unbeaten team after 10 rounds, Tottenham unexpectedly lost 1-4 to Chelsea at home. The match will likely remain in fans' memories for a long time because of the two red cards given to Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie, leaving Tottenham to finish the game with only nine players on the field.

The appeal of the Premier League no longer comes solely from its professional quality. Unpredictable events on the pitch, yellow cards, goals, mistakes, and controversies are increasingly common, adding to the league's entertainment value. It's highly likely that the 2023-2024 Premier League season will set a record for the number of goals and yellow cards if this trend continues.

Vinh San

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