Premier League 2025-26 review: season gripes focus on set-piece chaos
Quick summary
A Guardian season review highlights frustrations in the 2025-26 Premier League, especially the rise in set-piece goals and long throws. The piece is an opinion-driven look at tactical and aesthetic irritants rather than a specific team update.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceThe most infuriating things, including mayhem at set pieces, daft jerseys and a largely ignored video game
You will almost certainly be aware that there have been a load of set-piece goals this season, and an extraordinary proliferation of long throws. At times the self-styled greatest league in the world has drowned in a torrent of guileless ball-flinging.
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What happened
The article reviews perceived annoyances from the 2025-26 Premier League season, centering on the heavy volume of set-piece goals and the increased use of long throws. It frames these trends as symptoms of a more chaotic and less elegant style of play across the league. The piece also references non-performance complaints such as kits and a largely ignored video game. This is a broad editorial reflection on league trends rather than breaking news tied to one club or player.
Chance analysis
In football terms, the article points to a league-wide tactical environment where dead-ball efficiency and direct restarts have become increasingly influential. That matters for prediction systems because sustained set-piece dependency can distort open-play-based team ratings and increase match-state volatility.
Likely minor league-wide impact, mainly reinforcing the relevance of set-piece strength in Premier League match assessment.
Adjust models to account for league-wide set-piece and long-throw influence, but treat this as soft contextual signal rather than team-specific news.