Tottenham Hotspur 1 – 0 Wolves
The hosts started the game quite poorly, lacking the intensity early on although Antonio Conte’s ardent half-time talk brought back that energy after the break with Harry Kane’s (£11.5m) only goal securing the win. The English striker was their best attacker on the pitch having 4 shots in the box, creating 2 chances, and getting 2 big chances throughout the game.
However, the standout performer in this fixture was Ivan Perisic (£5.4m), with the defender hauling huge 12 points in his first start of the season – playing 75 minutes, getting an assist, and adding 3 bonus points to his bag. The wing-back had a good game creating 3 chances and a big chance, where he had an opportunity to put the ball behind the net but decided to slide the ball to his teammate. Not starting the first two games of the season, around 550,000 FPL managers got rid of him before this game week but the ones who stayed committed to him have finally reaped some rewards.
Heung-min Son (£11.9m) had a pretty quiet game with the highlight of one of his three shots inside the box hitting the post. Kulusevski (£8.2m) created 3 chances from which two were assists worthy though he lacked his luck there.
Failing to win this game, the Wolves now drop to 17th place having no wins to their name. They started well early on but failed to garb the opportunities in front of the goal with both hands. Wolves started both their new signings and they looked impressive throughout. Guedes (£6.0m) lead the line having 1 of his 5 shots from inside the box and creating 3 chances. Nunes (£5.0m) had put some numbers to look up on the statistic charts by creating a chance and had 3 of his 4 shots from the inside of the box. The midfielder’s game reading abilities with his excellent late runs into the box will definitely increase his goal involvement ratio. Pedro Neto (£5.4m) created 3 chances but had a rather off game extending his blanking streak to the third consecutive week – though we don’t know if he will line-up in Wolves colors come next weekend.
Crystal Palace 3 – 1 Aston Villa
Aston Villa started the game on the front foot with Watkins (£7.5m) taking the early lead but then it all went down the drain for them after Crystal Palace dominated each-and-every area of the pitch. Surprisingly, FPL favourite Bailey (£4.9m) was given a start and turned out having a decent game with an assist, creating 2 chances, 1 big chance, and also hitting the post once. Otherwise, Villa fizzled out throughout the game.
Crystal Palace looks like a real organized unit under Patrick Viera and Zaha (£7.0m) was the extraordinary standout performer continuing his impressive form. Zaha played effectively as an out-of-position striker scoring two goals, creating 2 chances, and taking 3 shots in the box. Eze (£5.5m) was a finesse throughout the game with the attacking midfielder creating the most amount of chances, making the most crosses, and was also assigned the set-pieces duties. Despite not returning points, he picked up a bonus point which shows he is someone worth keeping an eye on for the future. Edouard (£5.5m) assisted Zaha for the first goal and was later replaced by Mateta (£5.4m) who added himself to the scoresheet within two minutes after coming on.
Everton 1 – 1 Nottingham Forest
Frank Lampard will breathe a sigh of relief after opening their points account on the table, through Gray’s (£5.5m) late equalizer who collected Pickford’s (£4.5m) long ball forward and slotted past the Forest keeper. The winger was splendid throughout the game having three of his 6 shots on target, crossing 12 times, completing 2 key passes, and concluded having seven touches inside the opposition box. Gordan (6.0m) continued to menace the oppositions with five of his six shots taken inside the box and creating three chances.
A hard-earned point means Forest now have four points from three games which, for a newly promoted side is an admiring start to the season. Neco Williams (£4.1m) had a great attacking game taking a total of three shots and creating two chances. Johnson (5.9m) was the only remarkable Forest player with his rebound finish looked to have sent those three points in Forest’s way with less than 10 minutes left before Everton caught the visitors napping. The striker along with the goal created a chance, had another big chance, and had two shots throughout the game.
Fulham 3 – 2 Brentford
Some start from the hosts, as De Cordova-Reid (£5.5m) bundled the ball home within the first minute of the game. Palhinha (£5.0m) doubled the lead as he notched his first goal for Fulham by rising the highest in the box to convert Pereira’s (£4.5m) corner from the right flank. Adding an assist to his name, Pereira created three chances and also had a Free kick saved before the hour mark. Mitrovic (£6.2m) was again the hero of the game as his power header helped Fulham grab their first win at the death. The striker had four big chances throughout the game and along with that, 7 of his 8 shots were taken in the box.
Christian Norgaard (£5.5m) hit back for the visitors just before half-time with the previous weekend hero Jensen (£5.1m) providing the assist. Ivan Toney (£7.2m) later tried to join the scoring club but was denied twice with VAR interfering and ruling his goals out. He continued trying and finally scored a legal goal to level the score. The striker along with a goal created a chance and was delivered a big chance as well. Mbuemo (£6.0m) also seemed to threaten that Fulham defence by creating some good chances, receiving a big chance, and 2 of his 3 shots came from within the box.
Leicester City 1 – 2 Southampton
Leicester’s awful defensive performances continue as they have now conceded eight goals in the opening three games, the most in Premier League this season. Maddison (£8.0m) scored a superb free-kick to fire the Foxes ahead that was won by Ayoze Perez (£4.9m) but wasn’t enough to seal the win. Only Maddison and Harvey Barnes (£6.9m) looked like the difference makers out of the XI attempting 2 shots each.
Southampton came from behind to clinch their first win of the season, after a superb substitute brace from Che Adams (£6.4m). The striker converted both the big chances he received with all his shots within the 22 yards box. James Ward-Prowse (£6.5m) was another standout performer who had 2 big chances and created 4 chances, one of which resulted to an assist. Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.5m) was very much involved in the attack creating 2 important chances that were wasted but his involvement certainly had an impact. Kotchap (£4.5m), being a central defender, provided an assist and had 2 big chance involvements.
Bournemouth 0 – 3 Arsenal
The cherries conceded two goals inside the first 11 minutes and failed to have a shot and even a touch in the opposition box in the first half. The only good asset for Bournemouth was Adam Smith (£4.5m) who created 2 chances playing as a wing-back but overall, Bournemouth were rather wasteful.
Arsenal have looked extremely vibrant this season, picking up 9 goals and conceding only 2. Odegaard (£6.4m) hauled the gameweek highest 16 points picking up 2 goals from 3 shots, and picked up an assist along with 3 bonus points. The Norwegian is operating in and around the box and with the number of chances, Arsenal creates, he is bound to return. However, Martinelli (£6.4m) has proved to be a bargain in comparison to Saka (£7.9m), picking up an assist from the 4 shot attempts (1 shot outside the box, 3 shots inside the box) with a big chance in hand. Xhaka (£5.0m), playing in an advanced role created 2 chances, one of which was an assist.
Gabriel Jesus (£8.1m) had both his shots inside the box and also created two chances. Although his goal was ruled out because of a tight offside call, he was a major threat throughout the game. Saliba (£4.6m) picked up a goal, a clean sheet with 2 bonus points totaling 14 points for the game. He is an aerial threat, a good bonus point accumulator and likely to be a first-choice center-back for the Gunners throughout the season.
Leeds United 3 – 0 Chelsea
Leeds dismantled Chelsea at Elland Road in a thrilling game that had it all, goals, chances, and even a red card. Aaronson (£5.5m) was rewarded for his efforts in nicking the ball off from Mendy who kept it too long in the six-yard box. The American was very good at the no.10 role as he looked hungry throughout the game, creating 2 chances, and attempting 1 of his 2 shots inside the box. Rodrigo (£6.3m) is now bound to become the most transferred in player after delivering big points for three consecutive gameweek. The striker has been categorized as the midfielders, initially acting as a second striker to now injured Bamford (£7.4m). The Spaniard has now advanced as a striker and had all his 5 shots from inside the box, creating a chance and providing an assist to his in-demand FPL companion, Jack Harrison (£6.0m). The duo haven’t blanked in any of the game weeks until now and are expected to continue their top form with Leed’s easy run of upcoming fixtures.
Chelsea had a game to forget with their keeper Mendy (£5.0m) making a howler to the first goal and their most transferred in asset after GW2, Koulibaly (£5.6m) picking up a red card. Only Mount had some bearable stats in the game creating 4 chances and completing 3 out of 7 crosses which is also not up to the mark.
West Ham 0 – 2 Brighton
West Ham’s start to the season goes from bad to worse with three losses from three for a side hoping to compete for a place in Europe. Soucek (£5.4m) was one remarkable player from the side who took all his 3 shots inside the box. Overall West Ham were woeful and will have to find the answers to their problems before they start their tough run of fixtures. However, none of the West Ham assets are recommendable to be kept for the upcoming weeks with big assets underperforming and cheaper alternatives available.
The Seagulls kept a clean sheet for the second consecutive gameweek with their defensive assets looking very solid and trustworthy. Gross (£5.6m) looked sharp providing a flicked assist, creating 2 chances and a big chance. Mac Allister (£5.5m) converted from the spot and was electric in the central midfield throughout. Trossard (£6.5m) had an amazing game and brilliantly finished with his right foot with all 5 of his shots coming from inside the box, having an xG of 0.77.
Newcastle United 3 – 3 Manchester City
A goal fest with top-quality football is all the fans wish for and it was exactly what this game provided. Saint-Maximin (£6.4m) was the star of this Newcastle side providing 3 assists and collecting 2 bonus points hauling a total of 13 points and its absolutely worth monitoring his progress in the coming weeks. He created 4 chances and 2 big chances along with 2 of his 3 shots in the box. Wilson (£7.4m) scored and looked solid throughout with all 4 of his shots coming from the box, having an xG of 0.76 and could turn out to be a great differential if he continues staying fit. Almiron (£5.0m) had a quality game getting a goal and creating a chance as well. Trippier (£5.1m) whipped in a brilliant free kick from just outside the D to make the score 3-1 and he is worth holding from this strong Newcastle side.
Manchester City were poor in defence with Ake (£5.0m) was substituted due to injury. Gundogan (£7.6m) is a player to watch out for as he created 4 chances and had 3 shots in the box. For a central midfielder, his 10 penalty area touches is a big number to look at along with his late runs in the box as a second striker most of the time. De Bruyne (£12.1m) was sensational in the game even without providing big fantasy points. He created 4 chances and 3 big chances with the 0.99 xG – the highest of the game. Haaland (£11.7m) scored a goal and could have ended up getting more with 4 big chances provided to him. However, there is a possibility of him getting rotated by Alvarez (£6.3m) in the upcoming games due to fixture congestion. Bernardo Silva (£6.8m) started the game as a winger and ended up scoring a goal and providing an assist. For a player of his quality and his price, its tempting to bring him into the team but with his transfer rumours of moving away from the club, one should wait for that final decision.
Manchester United 2 – 1 Liverpool
The Red Devils recovered from a woeful performance last week to edge past an out-of-sorts Liverpool. Sancho’s (£7.3m) first-half composed finish gave United the confidence before Rashford (£6.3m) doubled their advantage. Rashford played the central role, and looked sharp making runs during counter attacks and his numbers were impressive having 5 shots inside the box, 2 shots outside the box and had xG of 0.81. Martial (£6.9m) returned from injury and kicked off his Premier League campaign with an assist following his impressive form in the preseason.
Liverpool aren’t having trouble finding the net but their defending off late will give Klopp cause for concern and the Premier League trophy will soon be out of sight if they continue this way. Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) created 2 chances but was a worry in their defence as he looked weak and easy to punish. Salah (£13.0m) gave Liverpool hope by scoring off a messy set-piece but that just wasn’t enough. The Egyptian created 4 chances and had 3 shots in the box but overall did not look like a goal threat. However, now is not the time to get rid of the Liverpool assets with some easy run of fixtures on the way. With Liverpool facing Bournemouth next at Anfield, Salah looks poised to pick up the highest number of captain’s armband for FPL managers as the reds will be hungry to bounce back.
