Welcome to the most recent version of The Alternative Premier League Table, the place every week, The Athletic analyses the whole division via a particular lens.
After errors resulting in photographs and objectives final week, we dive into long- and short-passing sequences that end in objectives.
As normal, the article that follows is lengthy however detailed, so please calm down and luxuriate in all of it — or use the index on the backside of the web page to leap to a particular membership.
After 319 matches, the Premier League has seen 70 objectives scored from sequences that contain 9 or extra passes. It would take some effort from the groups to eclipse the marks set in 2020-21, 2021-22 (each 98), 2018-19 (100), 2024-25 (105) or 2023-24 (118) within the 61 matches that stay.
This week’s Alternative Table ranks groups by their objectives scored from sequences with no less than 9 passes, alongside their set-piece objectives (together with penalties). Key takeaways embody:
- Manchester City cleared the path with 14 objectives from sequences of 9 or extra passes, however rank seventeenth for set-piece objectives with 11.
- Arsenal rank first for set-piece objectives with 25 and have scored 4 objectives from sequences of 9 or extra passes.
- Brighton & Hove Albion are the one group but to attain from a sequence of 9 or extra passes. They are additionally sixteenth for set-piece objectives, with 12.
- Including set items, Manchester United rank first for objectives from sequences of two or fewer passes with 40, forward of Arsenal (37).
Manchester City
Despite having seven video games left to play, Pep Guardiola’s facet have already eclipsed their tally of objectives with 9 or extra passes from three of the final six seasons (11 in 2022-23 and 2024-25 and 13 in 2020-21). The 18 that their 2018-19 facet — in all probability their most free-flowing facet underneath Guardiola – managed, essentially the most by a Premier League group throughout the final eight seasons, is inside attain.
Nico O’Reilly’s opener against Chelsea at the weekend was the most recent instance. His second aim in opposition to Newcastle United in February was a factor of magnificence too. The transfer lasted almost a minute and a half and concerned 9 of the ten outfielders throughout 20 passes earlier than O’Reilly headed the ball house.
City celebrates O’Reilly’s opener in opposition to Chelsea (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
O’Reilly’s help in opposition to Everton in October’s 2-0 win noticed City transfer from goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to an Erling Haaland headed aim in 30 seconds with 13 passes. That is the fantastic thing about this City resurgence and illustrates the risk they may carry going ahead.
More direct than earlier than, City’s common passes per sequence of 4.6 is their lowest throughout the final eight seasons. Simultaneously, although, their ‘direct speed’ (how rapidly they transfer the ball up the pitch) of 1.0 metres per second just isn’t far off that of the 2018-19 group (1.2 metres per second).
Guardiola and City have tailored to a bodily, direct league whereas not solely giving up the passing repertoire that made them common title winners.
Arsenal
Gabriel Jesus’ aim in a 4-1 win over Aston Villa in December was arguably Arsenal’s most well-constructed transfer this season. Starting with David Raya in aim, seven gamers made a complete of 9 passes to take the ball from one finish to the opposite in 27 seconds.
Their opener in one other 4-1 win — in opposition to Tottenham Hotspur in November — was comparable however with extra measured possession, with 19 passes throughout 70 seconds earlier than Leandro Trossard’s end.
Concerningly, these moments have come far too sometimes, particularly when groups have pressed them excessive like Bournemouth did of their 2-1 win on Saturday. Arsenal have put collectively 14 sequences of 9 or extra passes that started in their very own third and led to photographs — City have 28.
Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Zubimendi have a good time in opposition to Villa in December (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Arsenal’s 2022-23 facet — thought-about their most free-flowing underneath Mikel Arteta — scored 16 objectives from sequences of 9 or extra passes, a determine that dropped to 10 in 2023-24 and 6 in 2024-25. The 2022-23 group additionally scored 15 occasions from set items (excluding penalties), hinting at better stability throughout each areas. That went as much as 20 in 2023-24, dropped to fifteen in 2024-25 and is at 19 this season.
The Premier League’s total stylistic shift has been an element, however the numbers and eye check trace at a shift in the direction of management over inventive freedom.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Fabian Hurzeler’s first season in cost noticed Brighton rating six occasions from sequences of 9 or extra passes, their second-best complete throughout the previous eight seasons (behind seven in 2023-24). It is a shock, then, that they haven’t had a single aim of that nature in 2025-26.
It has not been for an absence of making an attempt. Brighton have recorded 52 photographs from sequences of 9 or extra passes, the fourth-most behind Manchester City (83), Chelsea (59) and Liverpool (57). Nottingham Forest, throughout two video games, have been on the receiving finish of 9 such sequences, with Brighton simply manipulating their defensive construction.
They even have the joint-most objectives from strikes involving six to eight passes (seven objectives, tied with Manchester City).
Set items haven’t offset that affect both. Having managed 22 objectives from set items (together with seven penalties) final season, they’ve scored simply 12 occasions from these conditions this season.
Manchester United
United are simply behind Brighton for photographs from sequences of 9 or extra passes and have additionally scored 5 occasions from these conditions.
Their second aim in opposition to Arsenal on the Emirates in January was essentially the most memorable of these. Four of the 9 passes within the build-up to that aim have been exchanged between Patrick Dorgu and Bruno Fernandes earlier than the previous thundered the ball house.
But United’s finest work has come within the rapid aftermath of assaults breaking down, with Bruno Fernandes choosing aside an unsettled defence. Casemiro’s aim in opposition to Leeds United on Monday is one in every of a number of examples. Mason Mount’s strike in opposition to Wolves under got here from a equally instinctive assault.
United’s set-piece prowess has performed a component too, with solely Arsenal managing extra objectives from these conditions than their 23.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth have recorded 41 photographs from sequences of 0-5 passes that start in their very own third, greater than some other group. They have had solely 9 sequences of 9 or extra passes finish in a shot, which matches their 2024-25 complete however is behind 2023-24 (15 every).
Andoni Iraola, who will depart this summer time, has been one of many Premier League’s finest coaches since his arrival in 2023. While the direct transitional model has been his trademark, the 2025-26 Bournemouth have additionally proven they are often extra measured in possession, showcasing his versatility.
Only Manchester City (seven), Everton (4) and Liverpool (three) have scored greater than their two objectives following sequences of 9 or extra passes that started within the center third. Simultaneously, no group has scored extra objectives from the identical scenario, however with underneath two passes, than their eight.
Iraola exits after making Bournemouth a flexible group able to working via groups via direct play and complex passing.
Burnley
Sticking to a practical strategy might not have helped them safe Premier League survival, however Burnley have scored 4 occasions from sequences with 9 or extra passes, already eclipsing the three by Vincent Kompany’s 2023-24 facet.
The most memorable of these got here of their 1-1 draw with Liverpool in January. Burnley received the ball excessive up the pitch — a rarity this season — to provoke an 11-pass sequence that ended with Marcus Edwards lashing the ball house.
Scott Parker’s facet have scored eight occasions from sequences with three to 5 passes, solely bettered by 4 groups. Jaidon Anthony’s strikes in opposition to Manchester City away in September and United at house in January got here from intricate short-passing strikes within the remaining third.
Liverpool
Between 2018-19 and 2022-23, Liverpool managed 9 or extra objectives from sequences with 9 or extra passes in 4 completely different seasons, with 2020-21 (three) proving an aberration.
In Arne Slot’s first season, they matched that decrease finish, however that has dropped to 4 this season, with zero this calendar 12 months. Opposition groups have arrange higher to chop the defence’s entry to Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister. The departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold means they’ve struggled for a high quality out-ball when compelled sideways.
Dominik Szoboszlai’s aim in a 3-3 December draw with Leeds was arguably their better of the season from a passing standpoint. On that event, Curtis Jones dropping between the centre-backs created the chance for Gravenberch to obtain between the traces after eight passes on the again. From right here, he assists Szoboszlai by way of a Mac Allister dummy.
These moments of fluidity haven’t been as uncommon, with their 57 photographs from such sequences heading in the right direction to match their two title-winning seasons (61 from 2019-20 and 65 from 2024-25). But they’ve missed too many probabilities, with Liverpool’s 10 per cent shot-to-goal conversion charge their lowest mark within the final eight seasons.
Aston Villa
Villa scored 10 objectives from sequences with 9 or extra passes in 2024-25, their highest within the league within the final seven seasons. The fall-off from that has been steep.
Their solely aim this season from a transfer of that kind got here within the 2-1 win over Burnley in October. That transfer was precisely 9 passes lengthy throughout 22 seconds as Villa discovered pockets in midfield to cross into earlier than Morgan Rogers arrange Donyell Malen.
Villa additionally generated three photographs from sequences of 9 or extra passes that started in their very own third in each 2023-24 and 2024-25, patiently creating gaps to take advantage of. They are but to create even a type of this season.
Brentford
No group has registered extra photographs from sequences that started in their very own third and lasted fewer than two passes than Brentford. Five of these 24 photographs led to objectives, additionally a league excessive.
Brentford are the league’s finest at creating high-quality chances through direct football. Their aim in opposition to Chelsea in September, scored by Kevin Schade, is a superb instance of how good they’re in these conditions due to the positioning and technical skill of their gamers to execute plans.
Building a group to revenue from direct soccer means they’re additionally wonderful from set items, scoring 15 occasions from these together with a league-high 5 objectives from throw-ins.
Chelsea
Ranking behind solely Manchester City, Chelsea have scored six objectives from sequences with 9 or extra passes.
Two of these got here in the identical match, a 4-1 win at Aston Villa in March, and adopted an identical sample. Liam Rosenior’s facet handed across the again to suck Villa in earlier than a protracted cross from Moises Caicedo to gamers in area opened the sector up, finally ending in Joao Pedro scoring.
Under Enzo Maresca and Rosenior, Chelsea have largely most popular to maintain their passes brief. But they’ll go direct when wanted too, with solely Brentford (six) scoring greater than their 5 objectives from sequences that start in their very own third and final 5 or fewer passes.
Chelsea have additionally scored 20 occasions from set items, their third-most throughout the final eight seasons behind 21 in 2020-21 and 23 in 2023-24.
Everton
In the earlier seven seasons, Everton scored greater than three objectives from sequences of no less than 9 passes simply as soon as — six in 2020-21 underneath Carlo Ancelotti. They are on 5 in 2025-26, showcasing the sort of build-up play few affiliate with them or David Moyes.
Their opener within the 3-0 win over Chelsea in March shall be remembered for Beto’s deft end, nevertheless it was the results of a nine-pass transfer throughout 29 seconds from a Vitalii Mykolenko throw-in. Michael Keane, James Tarkowski, Jake O’Brien, Idrissa Gueye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have been all concerned earlier than James Garner arrange Beto.
Beto scores in opposition to Chelsea in March (Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Only Leeds (14) have generated fewer photographs from sequences starting within the defensive third and lasting 5 or fewer passes than Everton’s 17. Their cost for Europe is being helped by better composure on the ball and a high quality midfield.
Crystal Palace
Palace have scored thrice from sequences of 9 or extra passes, already surpassing their tally from 2024-25 (two).
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s equaliser in opposition to Newcastle on the weekend got here from a 36-second transfer that started with Dean Henderson. Nine gamers contributed to 14 passes, with solely Adam Wharton and Ismaila Sarr not getting a contact.
Palace have created 18 photographs from sequences of three to 5 passes that start in their very own third, the fifth most, typically via fast brief passes earlier than getting ahead in numbers utilizing a dribble or swap of play. They are one in every of solely 4 groups, nonetheless, to not rating from any of those photographs.
Fulham
Fulham rank first for photographs from sequences of six to eight passes that start in midfield with 26. They have additionally scored thrice from these, with solely Bournemouth (4) managing extra.
Each of these objectives have come within the remaining 20 minutes of video games in opposition to Manchester United, Brighton and Palace. Kevin’s strike within the 3-2 defeat to United and Samuel Chukwueze’s equaliser within the 2-1 win over Brighton each started from throw-ins close to the midway line.
Against United, they switched the play from left to proper earlier than bringing it again to the left. A fast one-two between Kevin and Ryan Sessegnon led to the aim.
In the Brighton sport, Fulham went backwards to the sting of their very own field and dragged their opponents ahead earlier than Joachim Andersen went excessive to search out Chukwueze past the final line to attain.
Both objectives are testaments to how Marco Silva’s tactically versatile side can damage groups.
West Ham
Relying on the direct route this season, 32 of West Ham’s 40 objectives (together with set items) have come from strikes with underneath two passes. Only two of these started in their very own third, with Callum Wilson the scorer on each events.
At Bournemouth in November, Wilson chested down Alphonse Areola’s aim kick to attain on the half-volley.
Three months earlier at Nottingham Forest, Crysencio Summerville latched onto a clearance close to his field and fed El Hadji Malick Diouf, who crossed for Wilson to move house.
West Ham have scored simply twice from strikes of 9 or extra passes, similar as 2024-25 and three fewer than 2023-24.
Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs have pieced collectively only one aim from strikes of 9 or extra passes. They had not managed fewer than six in any of the earlier seven seasons and recorded eight in 2023-24 and 11 in 2024-25 underneath Ange Postecoglou.
Their tally of 26 photographs from these conditions is comfortably the bottom, too, comfortably surpassing 2020-21’s determine of 52. The final two seasons noticed them put up 73 and 58.
Spurs’ shift to a extra direct model in possession and the season-long absence of their two finest inventive gamers — James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski — are elements. This squad has struggled to carry onto and progress the ball in equal measure.
Leeds
Shifting to a more direct style since November has paid dividends. Their 6.5 seconds and a couple of.1 passes per shot-ending sequence are each the bottom within the Premier League, however they’re six factors away from the relegation zone.
Against Manchester United on Monday, nonetheless, brief passes and a extra composed model helped Leeds earn their first win at Old Trafford for 45 years.
Their two objectives from sequences of 9 or extra passes have each come after Daniel Farke determined to attenuate dangers taking part in out from the again. Their opener at Sunderland in late December got here from a 27-second, 12-pass transfer that concerned all 11 gamers, ending with Brenden Aaronson aiding Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
All 11 @LUFC gamers have been concerned in Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s equaliser in opposition to Sunderland 👏 pic.twitter.com/XsLqe09RB0
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 28, 2025
Nottingham Forest
Forest’s 4 objectives from sequences of 9 or extra passes have come underneath three managers. Ange Postecoglou, who oversaw 19 such objectives throughout two seasons at Spurs, was the one supervisor to not produce one.
Two of these have come underneath present head coach Vitor Pereira prior to now month. Their equaliser in opposition to Villa on the weekend got here from a excessive turnover which was then performed backwards. Four of the 11 passes within the lead-up to Neco Williams’ end have been shared by Elliot Anderson and Murillo in midfield.
Forest’s second aim in a 3-0 win over Spurs was the results of a 12-pass, 30-second transfer that started in their very own half and was completed off by Morgan Gibbs-White.
They have managed 12 photographs from sequences that start of their defensive third and contain 9 or extra passes, a quantity bettered by solely seven different groups.
Newcastle United
Among the league’s least direct groups, solely Manchester City (28) have managed extra photographs from sequences that start within the defensive third and contain 9 or extra passes than Newcastle. But City have additionally created 13 photographs from sequences starting in that space however involving two or fewer passes, two greater than Newcastle.
Eddie Howe’s facet have proven a dedication to taking part in via strain. They have scored thrice from strikes of 9 or extra passes, with every of these beginning in a distinct third of the pitch.
Against Brighton in October, Newcastle constructed a transfer from their very own third that ended with Nick Woltemade’s backheeled end. At Everton in February, they handed on the left earlier than Joelinton crossed for Jacob Murphy on the precise to attain.
Most just lately, in a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge, Newcastle received the ball of their attacking third however labored it backwards. It helped construct a 17-pass transfer that concerned each participant besides Woltemade and ended with Joe Willock aiding Anthony Gordon.
Gordon scores in opposition to Chelsea (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Sunderland
Well organised and bodily rugged, 13 of Sunderland’s 33 objectives have come from set items.
They rank second from backside for shot-ending sequences of 9 or extra passes with 19 and have scored simply as soon as from an uninterrupted transfer that started of their defensive third. That got here of their opening sport of the season in opposition to West Ham when Wilson Isidor wrapped up a counter-attack to make it 3-0 from a transfer that contained simply two passes.
Sunderland have scored twice from strikes of 9 or extra passes, and each started in midfield. Nordi Mukiele’s aim on the weekend was a type of, with eight gamers concerned. The different was their first aim of the season, additionally in opposition to West Ham, scored by Eliezer Mayenda.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Last season, Wolves scored six occasions from sequences of 9 or extra passes, however have managed only one this season. That got here in a January win over West Ham, with Hwang Hee-chan aiding Jhon Arias’ solely Premier League aim from a transfer that started from a throw-in on the midway line.
They have generated the joint-fewest photographs from strikes with six or extra passes (32, degree with Brentford). Only Burnley (8.09 per 90) have registered fewer photographs from strikes involving zero to 5 passes than their 8.5 per 90.
Wolves are additionally backside of the set-piece desk with Nottingham Forest, scoring simply 9 occasions from dead-ball conditions.
