Another Gameweek is in the books and as usual FPL managers are checking notes and making their calculations. Here’s a quick review of the Gameweek just ended with specific focus of its top performers.
GK – José Sá 11pts (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
The Portuguese shot-stopper came up big in his team’s 1-0 win away to Everton on the weekend. The Toffees had several big chances to finish but failed to do so in large part thanks to Sa’s heroics. Having saved 5 of the 7 shots Everton had on target kept Wolves in the game until their 87th minute winner.
DF – Matty Cash 17pts (Aston Villa)
Cash has been good value so far for managers who picked him. The fullback had a solid performance in Gameweek 2 in helping his team to a clean sheet and in Gameweek 3 he put in a shift up the other end scoring two goals as Villa beat new boys Burney 3-1 on the road. He was quick to sing his manager Unai Emery praise for his tactical set up – so a more productive Cash may be something to keep an eye on.
DF – Malo Gusto 14pts (Chelsea)
Malo Gusto is a name Chelsea and Premier League fans are still getting used to, but the 20 y-o Frenchman is quickly showing himself to be one to remember. With a 35 million euro price tag and being the understudy of club captain Reece James didn’t seem to phase him at all as he registered two assists in Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Luton Town in the first game of Gameweek 3.
DF – Destiny Udogie 12pts (Tottenham Hotspur)
Spurs have enjoyed a good start to the season despite a few question marks that loomed over the club a few weeks ago. Leftback Destiny Udogie has also quietened some doubters with his performances so far this season. He’s gotten better each game, adding attack output this gameweek to his defensive contributions in the last.
MID – Raheem Sterling 19pts (Chelsea)
It’s often feast or famine for the England international, but he helped himself to a glutton on points this Gameweek. He was the recipient of both of Gusto’s assists; the second was a smart cut back for a simple finish but the first merely set him going for a mazy run and neat finish. The winger looks seriously sharp and re-energized, there may be more to come from him this season, FPL managers should pay attention to Sterling this season.
MID – Moussa Diaby 12pts (Aston Villa)
In Gameweek 1 Diaby had a decent return for himself, bagging his first Villa goal in a 5-1 pasting. Gameweek 2 his team romped to a 4-0 victory but he had very little to do with the final result. So finally in Gameweek 3 he and his team had a good game and result – the former Bayer Leverkusen man copped one goal and an assist in Villa’s 3-1 victory at Turf Moor.
MID – Bruno Fernandes 12 pts (Manchester United)
As the newly installed Manchester United captain, you’re not allowed to sulk and mope when you go two goals down inside the first 5 minutes of the game. Thankfully for Red Devils fans, Fernandes didn’t. A cleverly worked freekick routine to set up the equalizer and well placed penalty for the winner is exactly what Bruno does. It may not be that dramatic every week but he is a regular source of points for managers.
MID – Jarrod Bowen 12pts (West Ham United)
West Ham were never in any danger of losing their game away to Brighton Hove and Alboin but given Brighton’s consolation goal late in the game, Bowen’s goal and assist were the difference makers in that fixture. That’s now two goals and one assist in three games. The last time Bowen had that kind of goal contribution ratio he amassed over 200 points for the season which was the 4th most that year.
MID – Pascal Gross 10pts (Brighton Hove & Albion)
The German midfielder scored that solitary goal for Brighton against West Ham. True enough he had a steady game in a losing effort and in fact he racked up the number of points as a few other midfielders for Gameweek 3 but it was his influence, creativity and the threat he posed that set him apart from the rest.
FW – Darwin Núñez 11pts (Liverpool)
The Uruguayan front man is still a divisive figure among Premier League fans as they can’t agree on how good he actually is. Even his numbers this week would suggest how little he actually did throughout the 90 minutes – but he scored both goals for Liverpool in a 2-1 away win against Newcastle, the latter was a stoppage time winner when his team was down to 10 men. Say what you will about Liverpool’s newly minted number 9, but his goals won the game this week.
FW – Michail Antonio 7pts (Burnley)
If the rumours are to be believed, Antonio may have his head turned by an offer from Saudi Arabia but in the meantime, the Reggae Boy led his West Ham team well in soaking up pressure then creating and taking chances. His pressing forced an error before his accurate pass inside for a teammate who could only finish on the rebound, robbing him of an assist. However, he still managed a tangible goal contribution with a goal of his own for West Ham’s third.
Subs:
GK – Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham Hotspurs) DF – Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace) MID – João Palhinha (Fulham) FW – Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea)