The Premier League is beloved around the globe for many reasons. Perhaps chief among them is the sheer excitement and end-to-end action the English top flight seems to generate, which brings supporters from everywhere together.
This new season could well see the most goals ever in a 38-game Premier League season, if current trends persist. 2023/24 saw a record 1,246 goals scored, smashing the previous record of 1,084 set a year earlier in 2022/23.
The number of goals has steadily crept up in the last few seasons, continuing an upward trend that began after the low point of just 931 goals in 2006/07.
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Why has the number of Premier League goals increased?
There are a few factors as to why there were a record number of goals in 2023/24. Some are unique to last season, others are more longitudinal.
Last season was unique, at both the top and bottom of the table. At the top, there was a rare three-horse race for the title for much of the season.
Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool pushed each other to higher goal tallies, as many foresaw the top three places being separated only by goal difference.
Between them, they netted 273 goals. Arsenal and Manchester City scored more than they did in 2022/23, and Liverpool scored 28 more goals than 2022/23’s third-placed Manchester United side.
At the bottom, all knew who would be relegated, despite Luton Town’s heroic efforts. There was a big quality gap. In 2022/23, the bottom three conceded 219 goals between them. Last season, Luton, Sheffield United, and Burnley have conceded an eye-watering 267 goals.
Moving onto the long-term, there has been a distinct shift in how Premier League sides set up tactically, particularly in the lower reaches of the table, that has led to the number of goals generally creeping higher each season.
Clubs up and down the league have seemingly all decided that the rewards of playing a more front-footed style outweigh its risks.
Most sides in the league, in theory at least, want to keep the ball and win back possession high up the pitch. There are myriad variations of this philosophy, different means to achieve this end, but it is a noticeable shift.
In 2023/24, the average Premier League team has made 94.85 tackles in the final third. Two seasons ago in 2021/22, that figure was 77.16.
Out are the days of Jose Mourinho’s expert bus-parking, Sam Allardyce’s shutouts, Neil Warnock’s backs-to-the-wall jobs, and Roy Hodgson’s passive Palace.
In are the likes of Roberto de Zerbi, Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola, and Ange Postecoglu, all of whom want their teams to be the protagonist.
These aggressive approaches off the ball lead to far more opportunities to score for their teams, but does in turn increase the risk of getting caught out in behind—meaning goals galore, and even more excitement.
Most goals in a Premier League season: The top five seasons
5. 2011/12 – 1,066
Kicking off our list is 2011/12, the season forever immortalised by that goal from Sergio Aguero in its dying seconds.
It was a season full of goals though. Champions Manchester City scored a huge 93 goals, fired on by the likes of Aguero, Carlos Tevez, and Edin Dzeko. Elsewhere, Arsenal played their part in several high-scoring games. From the embarrassment of their 8-2 defeat to Manchester United to the highs of beating Chelsea and Spurs 5-3 and 5-2.
Only two sides scored fewer than 40 goals, Aston Villa and Stoke City. Interestingly, neither were relegated.
4. 2021/22 – 1,071
Moving on a decade, Manchester City were champions again. After 2019/20 and 2020/21 were heavily disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Premier League got back to its goal-fest best.
Liverpool pushed Manchester City all the way, and the two scored 94 and 99 goals, respectively. Mohamed Salah and Heung-Min Son shared the Golden Boot with 23 goals each.
At the bottom of the table, Norwich City were the whipping boys, conceding 84 goals.
3. 2018/19 – 1,072
Another closely fought title race features here, with Manchester City pipping Liverpool to the post by a single point. They scored 95 and 89 goals each.
The Golden Boot had a rare three-way tie between Liverpool duo Sadio Mane and Salah, joined by Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The goalscoring was particularly top-heavy this season, as Huddersfield Town scored just 22 goals all season, only two better than the record low of 20 scored by Derby County in 2007/08 and Sheffield United in 2020/21.
2. 2022/23 – 1,084
Last season was a surprising one at both ends of the table. Arsenal led treble-winning Manchester City much of the campaign, but saw their wings melt as they flew a little close to the sun.
City's lineage of world-class strikers continued, with Erling Haaland smashing goalscoring record after goalscoring record. The big Norwegian ended the league season with 36 goals in 35 appearances.
At the bottom, three established Premier League sides in Leeds United, Southampton, and Leicester City went down. But all three possessed serious quality, and scored 105 goals between them.
One moment, emblematic of the changing times, was the appointment of Sam Allardyce at Leeds United. The former Bolton, Newcastle and, West Ham boss was known as a relegation specialist, rescuing teams from the drop with his defensive tactics. But ‘Big Sam’ and his ultra-defensive methods had no impact on the side’s results.
The 2022/23 season broke records, but did not hold them for long.
1. 2023/24 – 1,246
Obliterating 2022/23 total by 162 goals, 2023/24 was a true watershed for goals scored. Sixteen teams have scored 50 or more goals, including relegated Luton Town.
In the Golden Boot race, a remarkable 11 players have scored 16 or more goals, though Haaland led the way once again 27.
Very few old-school defensive managers have remained. David Moyes, one of the few survivors, has left West Ham.
The only question now, with the direction of travel of the league, is how long this record will hold.
Could 2024/25 break the record again?
As laid out above, the Premier League is seeing ever more goals, with the last three seasons making up three of our top four, with a strong upward trajectory.
On top of the long-term factors, 2024/25 shares many specific circumstances with last season – we can expect a tight title race, where every goal will count, and three promoted sides who inarguably have the weakest squads in the league.
Roy Hodgson and David Moyes have both been replaced with more attacking managers in Oliver Glasner and Julen Lopetegui respectively.
We could be in for a goal-laden first week too, with tantalising fixtures across the board.
New boys Ipswich Town welcome Liverpool to Portman Road, with both sides known for outscoring their opponents more than their tight defending last season.
Manchester City play Chelsea, having seen a 4- 2 and 4-4 in two of their last four fixtures.
West Ham play Aston Villa, and with both teams having invested heavily in the transfer window, will be eager to put on a show.
Finally, Arsenal will host Wolves. Having missed out on the Premier League title by the narrowest of margins, the Gunners will be desperate to make a statement of intent.
Still looking for more Premier League action? Check out our explainer on how the Premier League could scrap VAR next season.
