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Oct 19, 2026, 4:04 PM GMT+1
Jordan began his time at GIVEMESPORT as a writer in the Academy before being offered a freelance writer position. He honed his craft during his studies at the University of Portsmouth, where he earned his BA, MA, and PhD in English and Creative Writing.
His work has been published in the London Magazine, Last Word On Sports, Star & Crescent, and Hello Student, as well as his award-winning online publication Vendor, which he solely founded in 2016.
Outside of GIVEMESPORT, Jordan works part-time and in freelance roles in social research and education. He is currently a Visiting Lecturer in Media, Journalism, and Communications at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, the country's largest state university. He previously lectured in Creative Writing at the University of Portsmouth.
Jordan follows a wide range of sports, but his passions lie in professional wrestling, football, F1, and middle and long-distance running.
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If the 2025/26 Premier League showed us anything, it's that the set-piece is very much alive in the English top flight.
For older fans, the previous campaign would've felt like a throwback (no pun intended) as Premier League teams across the board attempted their best Rory Delap impression from the sidelines. Penalty areas resembled a Royal Rumble, as attackers and defenders went to war over a couple of yards of space. But what is the reason for this resurgence?
The low block has become the bane of many free-flowing attacking teams, as defensive obstinance becomes an absolute necessity for teams on the bottom rungs of the Premier League table. For some teams, it's the exact opposite; a chronic inability to defend even the most straightforward set-piece routines. For reigning champions Arsenal, who finished top of the set-piece table with 26 goals, it was merely an effective way of exploiting massive chinks in the armour.
With the 2026/27 season underway, it seems unlikely that set-pieces will fade into obscurity just as quickly as they returned. With many top-flight teams now employing set-piece and throw-in coaches, it seems like every team in the Premier League will be looking for new ways to score.
Below is a look at every Premier League club in this 2026/27 season, and a breakdown of all the goals they have scored from set-pieces, including corners, free kicks, and penalties.
It's been a difficult Premier League season for Nottingham Forest, who have struggled for goals of any form, let alone from set-pieces. Their only set-piece goal came from a Morgan Gibbs-White penalty at Anfield, highlighting the drought from corners and free kicks.
Their towering target man, Chris Wood, has been in disappointing form thus far, failing to make the sort of impact he is renowned for. If Forest are to avoid a relegation battle, they must take advantage of Wood's aerial presence and improve in the set-piece department.
Manchester United enjoyed a solid domestic campaign, resulting in Champions League qualification. But they have been woeful from set-pieces in 2026/27, wasting the delivery of last season's leading assist-maker Bruno Fernandes.
With Michael Carrick still relatively new to the United hot seat, perhaps the manager is still figuring out how to get the best out of their set-piece routines. However, with the likes of Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, and Benjamin Sesko offering big threats in the box, United should be doing far better from free kicks and corners.
Another ambitious team with a new coach in the dugout, Liverpool, have also failed to make a dent in set-pieces. Their only set-piece goal was a late penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai to rescue a point away to Newcastle. Again, some excuses can be made for new coach Andoni Iraola, but with their options on delivery and in the box, the Reds should be doing far better.
Liverpool have a number of solid set-piece takers in Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, and Cody Gakpo, but it's a surprise to see that none of their imposing defenders, nor Alexander Isak, have failed to capitalise on their routines. Virgil van Dijk netted eight times in all competitions last season, many of them coming from set-pieces. But he has struggled to have the same impact this season.
Perhaps the most shocking downturn in set-piece goals comes from last season's specialists Arsenal. Mikel Arteta's side have just one penalty to show for their set-piece efforts.
But this is often the curse of being so efficient in one offensive area. Most teams will be aware of the dangers, with Gabriel, William Saliba, and impact player Mikel Merino often providing a smash-and-grab from set-pieces. But adapt and smother these threats, and much of Arsenal's set-piece bite disappears. If the Gunners are to rediscover their set-piece magic, they might need to go back to the drawing board.
Tottenham's first set-piece goal came from a likely source: a header from the incredibly tall Jan Paul van Hecke, assisted ably by Andy Robertson. It's a microcosm of what Spurs can achieve from set-pieces if they can find consistency.
The North London side have a number of lofty players who are difficult to defend against during set-pieces, and the likes of Robertson and James Maddison offer dangerous delivery when called upon. Roberto De Zerbi just needs to figure out how best to position his team in the box.
Even under the fresh stewardship of Alvaro Arbeloa, Fulham continue to be a disappointing side from set-pieces. The issue has been further compounded by set-piece taker Harry Wilson joining Leeds.
That being said, Fulham are still in possession of the wily Raul Jimenez, who offers a multitude of threats in the final third. Rodrigo Muniz has also shown in flashes that he can be a threat at set-pieces too.
Bournemouth were among the set-piece high achievers last season, scoring 19 on their way to European qualification. But with the departure of Andoni Iraola and the appointment of Marco Rose, some of that set-piece fluency has been lost in transition.
Attacking prospect Eli Junior Kroupi, who notched 13 goals for Bournemouth last season, remains sidelined through injury. His return to the starting lineup could see a reversal of fortunes in the set-piece department.
Under new management and without star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta through injury, Palace have been rid of key components that made them deadly from set-pieces last season.
According to xG Stat, Palace currently rank bottom in the Premier League for corners won. With that in mind, the issue may not be delivery and finishing quality, but chance generation. But with Mateta nearing full fitness, he will surely offer the side a much-needed boost in attack when he returns to the first team.
Unai Emery's side have been stripped of much of their attacking vitality, with a disappointing summer transfer window. The departures of Lucas Digne, Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins, and Youri Tielemans will be felt across the pitch. But their absence will particularly sting during set-pieces.
In addition to these key departures, Villa also had their acclaimed set-piece coach Austin MacPhee snatched by Chelsea over the summer, following Rogers to the capital.
Back in the Premier League after many decades away, Coventry have understood the assignment of a newly-promoted side. The Sky Blues have looked to maximise their scoring chances, getting the ball into the box with direct free kicks, corners, throw-ins.
They have been rewarded with two set-piece goals, knowing full well that every goal will be crucial should they survive a likely relegation battle.
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