After a long break from Premier League action, the most-watched league in the world returned for a fourth gameweek. The international break provided some much-needed respite however, ahead of transfer deadline day, with all the glory of Jim White’s yellow tie. Hundreds of thousands of FPL managers were also left to decide whether they would play their first wildcard of the season, having had a chance to see how their team started. For many, it would mean additions of several new-found bargains, while for others it would see the clear out of some big names that had failed to perform thus far. We also were left eagerly awaiting the mouth-watering prospect of the season’s first Manchester Derby, as two of the season’s pace-setters would go head-to-head in a meteoric clash that would be watched by hundreds of millions at the weekend. That said, here’s our FPL Gameweek 4 review, where we take a look at who were the stand-out men for their sides.
Here’s the gameweek 4 dream team and our FPL Gameweek 4 review:
Goalkeeper
Artur Boruc – The Pole in goal secured a priceless clean sheet and three points for the South coast side, as he put in a solid performance against a West Brom side that have proved incredibly difficult to break down so far this season. The Pole has been in decent form for the Cherries as they start what will be a difficult campaign, as they look to establish themselves as a Premier League side after being promoted in 2015 from the Championship.
Defenders
Adam Smith – The former Spurs full-back regularly showcases his attacking ability, and used this to good effect this weekend, setting up Callum Wilson’s winner to seal what could be a vital three points come May. Smith also proved he has the defensive capabilities to cement his place at right-back for the Cherries. Bournemouth have made a quiet start to the season, taking just four points from their opening four Premier League matches, a return that will have to improve as they aim to secure Premier League survival for a second season.
Kyle Walker – One man who has started the season in fine form is Kyle Walker. The Sheffield-born full-back has made a strong start to the season, as Spurs try to emulate the success that took them ever so close to a first Premier League title. They will have been devastated to have their dreams dashed by Leicester City, but have set about challenging yet again this season, picking up a decent return of eight points from a possible twelve so far. When you consider they have faced both Liverpool at home and Everton away this seems solid. Walker picked up an assist alongside a clean sheet as Spurs romped past a poor Stoke side at the Britannia on Saturday. A very good result and performance to go with it for the North London side.
Laurent Koscielny – Another North London based defender to feature in this week’s dream team, the Frenchman scored a vital equaliser for Arsenal as they scraped past a resilient Southampton side 2-1 at the Emirates. Koscielny popped up with an acrobatic volley after the Saints had gone in front through an Own goal from Petr Cech, after Dusan Tadic’s effort rebounded back onto Cech off the upright. Santi Cazorla popped up with the winner deep into stoppage time from the spot after Jose Fonte was adjudged to have brought down Oliver Giroud in the penalty area. This leaves the Gunners sitting on seven points from their four opening matches, having already played both Liverpool and defending champions Leicester City.
Midfielders
Heung-Min Son – Heavily linked with a move away from White Hart Lane at the end of the window, few would have seen a way back for the South Korean forward. Son put in a superb personal performance at the Britannia on Saturday, as Spurs cruised to an impressive 4-0 victory. Son prodded in from Kyle Walker’s pinpoint cross to give the North-Londoners the lead late in the first half. Son then doubled their lead, curling in a rasping effort after being set free by Christian Eriksen. Things continue to look bleak for Mark Hughes’ Stoke side, who sit at the foot of the table, still yet to win with just one point from four matches. Things need to improve, and fast, as the pressure begins to mount on the Welshman.
Roberto Firmino – Liverpool continued to impress as they showed the attacking ability they now possess at Anfield. Firmino grabbed two goals as the Reds hammered champions Leicester City at Anfield. Firmino continued to thrive in the role in behind Daniel Sturridge, having previously been deployed as a false nine himself. The Brazilian opened the scoring after ten minutes, latching onto James Milner’s slid pass, before cutting past two Leicester players and wrong-footing Kasper Schmeichel in the Leicester net. However, Firmino wasn’t done there. He killed the game when Sadio Mané rushed onto a long pass before squaring to Firmino for the open goal finish. It was a day to remember for Klopp’s Liverpool, who face their biggest test yet against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Friday.
Etienne Capoue – The Frenchman has been in nothing short of superb form for the Hornets this season, netting three times already, having scored just one in his previous 57 appearances for both Watford and Spurs. Capoue popped up yet again at the London Stadium on Saturday, arriving late on the edge of the penalty area to last home a volley that was too hot to handle for Adrian in the West Ham goal. This means West Ham have picked up just three points this season, with a solitary 1-0 win at home to Bournemouth being their only success of the season. Things need to improve for Slaven Bilic’s side. Watford on the other hand, are getting towards the end of a horrible run of fixtures, from which the Hornets have been quite successful in taking four points. These have acted as somewhat of a ‘bonus’ run for Watford who wouldn’t have marked these fixtures when deciding where their points would come from this season. A fantastic result for the Hornets. 4-2.
Michail Antonio – Few have propelled themselves up the leagues in the style of winger Michail Antonio. He has been one of West Ham’s stand out players since last January, and has had to fight for his place, even playing several matches at right-back for the good of his side. However, Antonio himself has made it very clear that he wishes to play further forward, and he has been staking his claim of late. His back-post headers have been a feature of West Ham’s play, and a major goal threat at that. The bulky winger bagged a brace in his side’s disappointing collapse against Watford, with his header from Dimitri Payet’s rabona assist a particular highlight.
Kevin De Bruyne – Arguably player of the week, Kevin De Bruyne stepped up in the season’s first Manchester Derby, both scoring and assisting against Mourinho’s Manchester United side. The Belgian latched onto a Kelechi Iheanacho flick on, before going through on goal, and calmly slotting past David De Gea. It was then De Bruyne who helped double City’s lead, when his drive hit the post and fell to the afore mentioned Iheanacho who reacted quickest to tap in from close range. It was a great performance from City, who were without Sergio Aguero as he served the first game of his three match ban. City now top the Premier League table, with a 100% record to boast.
Forwards
Romelu Lukaku – He’s back. Having gone nearly 1200 minutes without a goal, the Belgian broke his duck in style, netting a hat-trick in just over twenty minutes at the Stadium of Light to sink a dejected Sunderland side. New-signing Idrissa Gueye dinked to the back post for Lukaku to nod down past Jordan Pickford in goal to give Everton the lead just before the hour. He bagged his second just ten minutes later, this time from a Yannick Bolasie cross. Having stood the ball up to the back post, Lukaku slammed the header into the back of the net, taking a nick off the crossbar in doing so. Lukaku’s third however would come after he was slid through by fellow Belgian Kevin Mirallas. Having latched onto the through pass, Lukaku powered through and slotted past Pickford to seal his hat-trick. Lukaku and Everton will be hoping for a better season this time around, and have set about it the right way.
Diego Costa – The controversial forward proved once again how despite his antics, he still poses a very real threat in attack for the Blues. When Costa ran onto Oscar’s cutback, he slammed home into the bottom corner, proving to be too powerful for Fabianski in the Swansea goal. Costa then had to equalise for his side late on with an acrobatic volley to rescue a point after Swansea had scored twice in two minutes around the hour mark. Overall, it could have been worse for Chelsea, who lamented a challenge from Leroy Fer on Gary Cahill, as the Dutchman had ran through to give Swansea a lead around the hour. Antonio Conte remains unbeaten thus far, picking up an impressive ten points from a possible twelve.
Written by Ryan Nevin (@RNevin7)
