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Premier League: Is absence of fans behind the goal rush?

The Premier League season has started with a goal-fest.

Sunday's chaos, with Aston Villa scoring seven against Liverpool and Tottenham beating Manchester United 6-1, capped a mind-boggling start to the 2020-21 campaign.

Goals are being scored at the highest rate in the English top flight for 90 years.

There is one obvious difference this year - the absence of fans. Is that the cause of the goal rush? If not, what else could it be? BBC Sport takes a look...

Goals, goals, goals - what the stats say

  • There have been 144 goals in 38 games this season.