Earlier this week I wrote about OH Leuven’s attacking corners. I didn’t only look at their routines, but also had a look at their deliveries, the expected goals generated per corner and the average xG generated by corner type. I’m going to do this as well, but this time concentrating on the Women’s Super League in England.
In this analysis I will look closely to the top-4 in England: Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United. I will analyse their expected goals from corners, how their deliveries are, their average xG per corner type and some of their successful corner routines. This is part one and will look at Chelsea and Manchester City.
I’ve chosen to look at the top-4 because I wanted to get a better idea of what the corners are in the WSL and because these top-4 teams, also are the top-4 when it comes to scored goals from corners. To get a good view of the attacking corners in this particular league, these teams are definitely worth watching in my opinion. I’m going to look at their last 4/5 games of the WSL 2020-2021 season to assess the generated xG.
Chelsea
Expected goals per corner
| Game | Side | Foot | Swing | Zonal structure | Length | Zone | xG | Goal | Minute |
| Tottenham | Left | Right | In | Two player | Long | Central | 0,22 | No | 13 |
| Tottenham | Right | Left | In | Two player | Long | Central | 0 | No | 19 |
| Tottenham | Left | Right | In | Two player | Long | Central | 0 | No | 36 |
| Tottenham | Left | Right | In | Two player | Long | Front post | 0 | No | 74 |
| Tottenham | Left | Right | In | Two player | Long | Central | 0 | No | 79 |
| Tottenham | Left | Right | In | Two player | Long | Central | 0,04 | No | 85 |
| Manchester City | Right | Right | Out | Four player | Long | Central | 0,28 | No | 15 |
| Manchester City | Left | Right | In | Two player | Long | Central | 0 | No | 18 |
| Manchester City | Right | Right | Out | Four player | Long | Front post | 0,15 | Yes | 25 |
| Manchester City | Right | Right | Out | Four player | Long | Front post | 0,11 | No | 70 |
| Birmingham City | Left | Right | In | Three player | Long | Far post | 0,09 | No | 18 |
| Birmingham City | Left | Right | In | Three player | Long | Front post | 0 | No | 50 |
| Birmingham City | Left | Left | Out | Three player | Long | Central | 0,05 | No | 56 |
| Birmingham City | Right | Left | In | Three player | Long | Front post | 0 | No | 60 |
| Birmingham City | Right | Left | In | Three player | Short | Far post | 0 | No | 60 |
| Birmingham City | Right | Left | In | Three player | Short | Front post | 0,01 | No | 64 |
| Birmingham City | Left | Left | Out | Three player | Long | Central | 0,07 | No | 89 |
| Birmingham City | Left | Left | Out | Three player | Short | Central | 0,37 | No | 90 |
| Aston Villa | Right | Left | In | Two player | Long | Central | 0,01 | No | 12 |
| Aston Villa | Right | Right | Out | Two player | Long | Front post | 0 | No | 20 |
| Aston Villa | Right | Right | Out | Two player | Long | Central | 0,11 | No | 20 |
| Aston Villa | Right | Left | In | Two player | Long | Far post | 0 | No | 28 |
| Aston Villa | Right | Left | In | Two player | Long | Front post | 0,22 | No | 44 |
| Aston Villa | Left | Right | In | Two player | Long | Far post | 0 | No | 46 |
| Aston Villa | Left | Left | Out | Two player | Long | Far post | 0 | No | 72 |
| Everton | Left | Left | Out | Two player | Long | Front post | 0 | No | 3 |
| Everton | Left | Left | Out | Two player | Long | Central | 0 | No | 3 |
| Everton | Left | Left | Out | Two player | Long | Front post | 0 | No | 22 |
| Everton | Left | Left | Out | Two player | Long | Central | 0,43 | No | 25 |
| Everton | Left | Left | Out | Two player | Long | Front post | 0 | No | 29 |
| Everton | Left | Left | Out | Two player | Long | Central | 0 | No | 33 |
| Everton | Left | Right | In | Two player | Long | Front post | 0,01 | No | 85 |
In the table above you see every corner taken by Chelsea in their games against Tottenham Hotsp uts, Manchester City, Birmingham City, Aston Villa and Everton. What is interesting is that there are 32 corners taken by the Chelsea team, but only 2 of those corners have been short. In total Chelsea have generated 2,16 expected goals from those 32 corners. That is an average of 0,432 xG per game via corners.
In the game against Tottenham Hotspurs, Chelsea have generated 0,26 xG. In their game against Manchester City, Chelsea have generated 0,54 xG. In their game against Birmingham City, Chelsea have generated 0,59 xG. In their game against Aston Villa, Chelsea have generated 0,34 xG. And, in their game against Everton they have generated 0,44 xG.
| Corner type | Total xG | Average xG |
| Left | 1,28 | 0,256 |
| Right | 0,89 | 0,178 |
| Swing in | 0,6 | 0,12 |
| Swing out | 1,57 | 0,314 |
| Short | 0,38 | 0,076 |
| Long | 1,78 | 0,356 |
| Front post | 0,5 | 0,1 |
| Central | 1,58 | 0,316 |
| Far post | 0,09 | 0,018 |
| Two player zonal | 1,04 | 0,208 |
| Three player zonal | 0,59 | 0,118 |
| Four player zonal | 0,54 | 0,108 |
In the table above I’ve divided the corners into certain categories to assess how many xG has been generated per corner type. If we look at which side is most successful in generating that xG, then this is the left side. When we look whether short or long corners generate the most xG, then it is the long corner option.
When we have a look at which zone – the ball is being delivered into – generates the most xG in these games, then we can conclude that the central zone generates the most xG. Finally, if we look at the successful generating xG against certain zonal structures, we can conclude that Chelsea generates the most xG against two player zonal structures in the six-yard box.
Successful corner routines
In the video above we see attacking corner routine #1 from Chelsea in their game against Manchester City. The corner comes from the right from a right-footed player, meaning the ball will swing out towards the penalty spot, rather than swing in. The position of the runners is deeper because the ball will come between six-yard box and penalty spot.
Chelsea lines up with three players just outside the six-yard bod and with two player inside the penalty area. One player in that area is more advanced to the right, while the other play is just inside the penalty area. Outside the penalty area we have two players, both with different tasks. One player will make a run into the penalty area, while the other one is more tasked with getting the cleared balls or guarding the first line of rest-defence.
As soon as the ball is kicked, we see everyone making runs, but with the ball coming between the six-yard box and the penalty spot – the runners from the edge of the penalty area will move in that direction and this is how Kerr gets on the end of it and scores a header at the front post.
In the video above we see attacking corner routine #2 from Chelsea in their game against Brighton and Hove Albion. The corner comes from the right from a right-footed player, meaning the ball will swing out towards the penalty spot, rather than swing in. The position of the runners is deeper because the ball will come between six-yard box and penalty spot.
We see two players in the six-yard box against a three player zonal structure. On the penalty spot we have three players from Chelsea who will make a run towards the ball as soon as the ball is kicked. There are two player outside the penalty area, one is for the short pass option and the other one is there for the cleared balls and/or first line of rest-defence in case of a counter-attack from this set-piece.
As soon as the ball is kicked, we see the trio of runners making movements towards the front post – but Kerr switches off and goes centrally instead of to the front post, because space has been created there. She gets on the end of the ball and guides the ball with her head to the top corner at the far post.
In the video above we see attacking corner routine #3 from Chelsea in their game against Reading. The corner comes from the left from a left-footed player, meaning the ball will swing out towards the penalty spot, rather than swing in. The position of the runners is deeper because the ball will come between six-yard box and penalty spot.
We see one player in the six-yard box against a two player zonal structure. In the penalty area we have two units of two player who will make their runs forward as soon as the ball is kicked.
As the ball is kicked we see that the two units form a line of four and move forwards towards the six-yard vox, and at the same time the player in the six-yard box loses her marker and goes to the front post. She creates space in the middle for the runners, but in this case she manages to score a header into the far post.
Manchester City
Expected goals per corner
| Game | Side | Foot | Swing | Zonal structure | Length | Zone | xG | Goal | Minute |
| Birmingham City | Right | Left | In | One player | Long | Far post | 0 | No | 1 |
| Birmingham City | Left | Right | In | One player | Long | Far post | 0 | No | 28 |
| Birmingham City | Right | Left | In | Two player | Long | Central | 0 | No | 52 |
| Birmingham City | Left | Left | Out | Three player | Long | Central | 0 | No | 54 |
| Birmingham City | Right | Left | In | Three player | Long | Far post | 0 | No | 54 |
| Birmingham City | Right | Left | In | Three player | Short | Central | 0 | No | 61 |
| Birmingham City | Left | Left | Out | Three player | Long | Central | 0 | No | 62 |
| Birmingham City | Left | Left | Out | Three player | Long | Front post | 0,08 | No | 64 |
| Birmingham City | Left | Left | Out | Three player | Short | Front post | 0 | No | 71 |
| Birmingham City | Left | Left | Out | Three player | Long | Central | 0 | No | 74 |
| Birmingham City | Right | Right | Out | Three player | Short | Central | 0 | No | 74 |
| Birmingham City | Right | Left | In | Three player | Long | Far post | 0,16 | No | 76 |
| Birmingham City | Right | Right | Out | Three player | Long | Front post | 0,47 | Yes | 84 |
| Birmingham City | Left | Left | Out | Three player | Short | Far post | 0 | No | 86 |
| Birmingham City | Right | Right | Out | Three player | Long | Central | 0,45 | Yes | 94 |
| Chelsea | Right | Left | In | Two player | Long | Central | 0 | No | 9 |
| Chelsea | Right | Left | In | Four player | Long | Central | 0 | No | 39 |
| Chelsea | Right | Left | In | Four player | Long | Far post | 0 | No | 44 |
| Chelsea | Right | Right | Out | Four player | Long | Central | 0 | No | 46 |
| Chelsea | Left | Left | Out | Three player | Long | Central | 0 | No | 51 |
| Chelsea | Right | Right | Out | Four player | Long | Central | 0 | No | 57 |
| Chelsea | Right | Left | In | Four player | Long | Central | 0,07 | No | 79 |
| Chelsea | Left | Left | Out | Four player | Long | Far post | 0 | No | 91 |
| Tottenham | Left | Right | In | Two player | Long | Central | 0,07 | Goal | 4 |
| Tottenham | Left | Right | In | Two player | Long | Far post | 0 | No | 16 |
| Tottenham | Left | Right | In | Two player | Short | Far post | 0 | No | 32 |
| Tottenham | Right | Right | Out | Three player | Long | Far post | 0,04 | No | 46 |
| Tottenham | Left | Right | In | Two player | Long | Central | 0,47 | No | 47 |
| Tottenham | Left | Right | In | Three player | Long | Front post | 0 | No | 51 |
| Tottenham | Left | Right | In | One player | Long | Central | 0,12 | No | 72 |
| Reading | Left | Right | In | Three player | Long | Front post | 0 | No | 7 |
| Reading | Right | Left | In | Two player | Long | Central | 0 | No | 13 |
| Reading | Right | Left | In | Two player | Long | Front post | 0,04 | No | 39 |
| Reading | Left | Left | Out | Two player | Long | Central | 0 | No | 50 |
| Reading | Left | Right | In | Two player | Long | Central | 0 | No | 56 |
| Reading | Right | Left | In | Two player | Long | Far post | 0 | No | 62 |
| Reading | Right | Left | In | Two player | Long | Front post | 0 | No | 69 |
| Reading | Right | Left | In | Two player | Long | Far post | 0 | No | 69 |
| Reading | Left | Left | Out | Two player | Long | Central | 0,27 | No | 70 |
| Reading | Right | Left | In | Two player | Long | Central | 0 | No | 82 |
In the table above you see every corner taken by Manchester City in their games against Birmingham City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Reading. What is interesting is that there are 40 corners taken by the Manchester City team, but only 4 of those corners have been short. In total Manchester City have generated 2,24 expected goals from those 40 corners. That is an average of 0,067 xG per game via corners.
In the game against Birmingham City, Manchester City have generated 1,16 xG. In their game against Chelsea, Manchester City have generated 0,52 xG. In their game against Tottenham Hotspurs, Manchester City have generated 0,7 xG. In their game against Reading, Chelsea have generated 0,31 xG.
| Corner type | Total xG | Average xG |
| Left | 1,01 | 0,02525 |
| Right | 1,23 | 0,03075 |
| Swing in | 0,93 | 0,02325 |
| Swing out | 1,31 | 0,03275 |
| Short | 0 | 0 |
| Long | 2,24 | 0,056 |
| Front post | 0,59 | 0,01475 |
| Central | 1,45 | 0,03625 |
| Far post | 0,2 | 0,005 |
| One player zonal | 0,12 | 0,003 |
| Two player zonal | 0,85 | 0,02125 |
| Three player zonal | 1,2 | 0,03 |
| Four player zonal | 0,07 | 0,00175 |
In the table above I’ve divided the corners into certain categories to assess how many xG has been generated per corner type. If we look at which side is most successful in generating that xG, then this is the right side. When we look whether short or long corners generate the most xG, then it is the long corner option.
When we have a look at which zone – the ball is being delivered into – generates the most xG in these games, then we can conclude that the central zone generates the most xG. Finally, if we look at the successful generating xG against certain zonal structures, we can conclude that Manchester City generates the most xG against three player zonal structures in the six-yard box.
Successful routines
In the video above we see attacking corner routine #1 from Manchester City. The corner comes from the right from a left-footed player, meaning the ball will swing in towards the six-yard box, rather than swing out. The position of the runners is deeper because the ball will come between six-yard box and penalty spot.
Manchester City lines up with three players just outside the six-yard box and with two player inside the six-yard box. One player in that area is more advanced to the right, while the other play is just inside the penalty area. Outside the penalty area we have two players, both with different tasks.
As soon as the ball is kicked, we see everyone making runs, but an interesting one is that a player makes a run towards the corner from the six-yard box – luring defender with her. This means that here is space created, which a runner takes advantage of and heads the ball in goal from the front post.
In the video above we see attacking corner routine #2 from Manchester City in their game against Aston Villa. The corner comes from the left from a right-footed player, meaning the ball will swing in towards the six-yard box, rather than swing out. The position of the runners is more towards the six-yard box as the ball will be delivered more towards goal.
We see a three player zonal structure employed by Aston Villa and Manchester City has four players in the six-yard box with one player standing just outside the six-yard box. She will make a run into the box with another play, so that the box will be overloaded with Manchester City player.
As soon as the ball is played, we see that it goes to the front post and Manchester City anticipates that one of the many player will be able to make a good opportunity or score a goal from this particular set piece – which also happens.
In the video above we see attacking corner routine #3 from Manchester City in their game against Arsenal. The corner comes from the left from a right-footed player, meaning the ball will swing in towards the six-yard box, rather than swing out. The position of the runners is more towards the six-yard box as the ball will be delivered more towards goal.
Manchester City has four players in the six-yard box with one player standing just outside the six-yard box. She will make a run into the box with another play, so that the box will be overloaded with Manchester City players. One player runs out of the box towards the corner, dragging a defender with her
As soon as the ball is played, we see that it goes to the front post and Manchester City anticipates that one of the many players will be able to make a good opportunity or score a goal from this particular set-piece – which also happens. This is routine is quite similar to routine #2, but it uses an element of routine #1 – the dragging of the defender to open up space at the front post.
