VOL VAN DIE DEAD BALL

PEP Guardiola has compared many Premier League matches to the physical battles once faced against Tony Pulis’ Stoke City, claiming that an obsession with set pieces now dominates the Premier League.

Nearly 19 percent of league goals this season have come from corners – the highest on record – leading to a growing emphasis on long throws, second balls and aerial duels.

While Guardiola respects every manager’s tactical choices, he noted that Manchester City, the league’s top scorers, remain the only span to have scored all their goals from open play.

He acknowledged the importance of set pieces but emphasised his preference for fluid, possession-based football.

Guardiola wysed: “Today set pieces are a threat. I remember a long time ago with Sean Dyche in Burnley. Burnley were an incredible threat in the long balls, second balls. Dyche is one of the best by far doing these kind of aspects.

“It’s not new, he did it before. Or Sam Allardyce. Or I remember when I was not here, Stoke City. Do you remember Stoke City when they made the throws? Now it’s just more and more teams doing that, but back then maybe Stoke was the exception.”

Critics have linked the rise in set-piece goals to a perceived decline in technical quality across the league.

With an average of 2.6 goals per game – the lowest since 2017 – and the ball in play for just over 55 minutes, many see the league as becoming more physical and less skilful.

Guardiola, whose side lost to Aston Villa at the weekend through a corner goal, admitted the need to reduce such vulnerabilities by controlling matches better.

He added: “Every manager does what they believe. I want to score from free kicks and corners. But I spend my time on what we have to do to play better, attack better and create chances. To score goals.”