Adrian Clarke identifies tactical trends from the 2021/22 Premier League season.
Better performances at home
The campaign just ended has reminded us of how much the support of a vociferous home crowd can help inspire better results.
Throughout 2020/21, largely played in empty stadiums because of the pandemic, Premier League clubs produced a greater number of away wins than at home for the first time.
That highly unusual trend did not last long, with a 43 per cent to 34 per cent split in favour of home victories rectifying the balance this season as a record number of fans returned to stadiums.
At the end of 2020/21, six of the top eight teams finished with a better away record than they had managed on their own turf.
Home wins/away wins last two seasons
| 2020/21 | 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| Home wins | 38% | 43% |
| Draws | 22% | 23% |
| Away wins | 40% | 34% |
| Home goals/90 | 1.35 | 1.51 |
| Away goals/90 | 1.34 | 1.31 |
This was an abnormality that indicated how much easier it was travelling to face the biggest clubs without having to deal with the atmosphere created by home fans.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, this season seven of the top eight sides (Chelsea were the only exception) ended earning more points from home matches than on the road.
Liverpool were the chief beneficiaries from the return of fans.
Losing six matches at Anfield the season before, Jurgen Klopp’s side were unbeaten at home, amassing 16 additional points.
Most home wins in 2021/22
| Team | W | D | L | Pts | Pts diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | 15 | 4 | 0 | 49 | +16 |
| Man City | 15 | 2 | 2 | 47 | +6 |
| Arsenal | 13 | 2 | 4 | 41 | +13 |
| Spurs | 13 | 1 | 5 | 40 | +7 |
Arsenal enjoyed the second-largest increase.
Backed by an Emirates Stadium crowd that warmed to a young, improving side, they collected 13 more home points than in 2020/21.
🙌 Your highlights are here, Gooners!
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 25, 2022
🍿 Catch all of the best moments from a huge home win#ARSWOL | Match highlights 📺 pic.twitter.com/2gKSuKRQhc
Outside of the main top four contenders, Newcastle United and Everton enjoyed seven extra home points, while Leicester City and Crystal Palace claimed an additional six.
More late home goals
Home goals scored in the final 10 minutes of matches rose by over 35 per cent this season.
In empty stadiums during 2020/21, it was the away teams who finished strongest, scoring 83 goals from 80 minutes onwards, compared with 74 from the hosts.
Most home goals scored 80mins+
| 2020/21 | 2021/22 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LIV/MUN | 7 | LIV/MCI | 11 |
| AVL/LEI/ NEW/WHU |
6 | CHE | 9 |
| BRE | 7 | ||
| Total goals | 74 | Total goals | 100 |
This time round, roared on by their supporters, there were 26 extra goals scored from home teams in the final 10 minutes of matches, taking the season’s tally to 100.
The goal difference overall in that time slot was +12 in favour of the home team.
This selection of very clear trends proves beyond doubt that home fans play their part in influencing results.
Also in this series
Part 1: Top five drive the glut of goals
Part 3: Corners a growing threat
Part 4: Favoured formation emerges
Part 5: Counter-attacks on the rise
Part 6: Fouls fall as pressing increases