Gameweek 12 would see the first North London derby of the season as Arsenal hosted Spurs at the Emirates for Saturdays lunchtime kick-off. Manchester City played away at the King Power as they faced Leicester. Liverpool would face summer transfer target Virgil van Dijk as Southampton arrived in town on Saturday afternoon. The late game would see Manchester United host Newcastle United, with Jose Mourinho’s side having yet to concede a home league goal this season. On Sunday, David Moyes would take charge of his first match as West Ham boss, following the sacking of Slaven Bilic last week. Anyway, here’s the FPL Updates Gameweek 12 FPL Review…
Goalkeeper
Asmir Begovic – Having started the season in poor form, AFC Bournemouth have been one of the form sides of late, having recorded three wins in their last four league games, with the sole loss coming at the hands of champions Chelsea. Eddie Howe’s side have recorded wins over Stoke, Newcastle and most recently Huddersfield Town. One of the key men of late has been none other than former Chelsea and Stoke City stopper Asmir Begovic, who recorded a second consecutive shutout in the league as his side ran out comfortable 4-0 winners over newly-promoted Huddersfield Town.
Defenders
Shkodran Mustafi – Arsenal ran out surprise victors of Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off as they comfortably dispatched Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs side at the Emirates. As Mike Dean controversially awarded a freekick against Davison Sanchez deep in the Spurs half, Shkodran Mustafi rose highest to power a header beyond Hugo Lloris in the Spurs goal. Alexis Sanchez doubled the lead five minutes before the break, as he finished brilliantly at the near post. Arsenal took the lead into the break, and were able to see it out without too much of a threat from Spurs. Spurs poor record at the Emirates continues for another year.
Marcos Alonso – It seems a long time ago that Chelsea were charging towards a Premier League title, with Marcos Alonso being one of the league’s star performers, chipping in with goals and assists from a left wing-back position. This season hasn’t been as productive for the Spaniard, although Chelsea seem to be back to winning ways, after sealing a third consecutive league win as they powered past West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns. Alonso netted for the Blues, as he volleyed home from Cesc Fabregas’ cross. The loss would mean the end of Tony Pulis’ days as West Brom boss, as the club parted company with the former Stoke and Palace boss on Monday.
Kyle Walker – Manchester City briefly went eleven points clear at the top of the Premier League as they recorded a 2-0 win at the King Power against Leicester City. They took the lead on the stroke of half time when Gabriel Jesus finished after a good pass from David Silva. The Brazilian made the most of his starting spot, as Sergio Aguero started on the bench yet again. They doubled their lead less than five minutes into the second half when Kevin De Bruyne smashed into the roof of the net from twenty yards. This came mere seconds after Harry Maguire had struck the post for the Foxes, who find themselves in twelfth position in the Premier League.
Midfielders
Eden Hazard – Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard was at his brilliant best as his Chelsea side dismantled West Bromwich Albion 4-0 at the Hawthorns in what would turn out to be Tony Pulis’ final match as boss. The former Lille man had his shot saved by Ben Foster only for Alvaro Morata to score the rebound to give the Blues the lead. Hazard rounded Foster and finished to double the lead, before Marcos Alonso gave Antonio Conte’s side a 3-0 advantage as they headed into the break. Hazard completed the rout himself when he curled in from Cesc Fabregas’ pass, giving the Spaniard his second assist of the match.
Mo Salah & Philippe Coutinho – Liverpool were in fine form as they recorded a 3-0 win as Southampton made the long journey North to Anfield. Mo Salah opened the scoring as he curled into the top corner after Dusan Tadic was caught near his own penalty area. Just ten minutes later it was Salah again who would double the lead as he poked past Fraser Forster after getting in behind with a well-timed run. Barcelona-linked Philippe Coutinho completed the scoring with twenty minutes remaining when he turned home the rebound after fellow Brazilian Roberto Firmino’s shot was saved by Forster.
Will Hughes – Will Hughes had long been tipped as a future England midfielder, having broken into the Derby County team at the age of seventeen. Some years later, the midfielder has made the step up to the Premier League, as Marco Silva made him his first signing as Hornets boss. On his home debut Hughes opened the scoring as he volleyed home on the turn against David Moyes’ West Ham side. Richarlison killed the game off late on, but not after West Ham spurned several chances to equalise. Marco Silva refused to commit his future to Watford after the match, amid rumours he is set to take the Everton job.
Paul Pogba – Manchester United find themselves eight points behind neighbours City, and the loss of Paul Pogba may well be one of the main reasons why. After an explosive start to the season, Pogba picked up an injury that kept him out until this weekend, as he returned alongside Zlatan Ibrahimović to give United a big 4-1 comeback victory over Newcastle United at Old Trafford. After Dwight Gayle gave Rafa Benitez’s side the lead, goals from Anthony Martial and Chris Smalling put the Red Devils in front, before Pogba and Lukaku netted to make the points safe. Newcastle can take some comfort in being the first side to score at Old Trafford in the Premier League this season.
Forwards
Callum Wilson – Bournemouth were in explosive form as they hammered Huddersfield Town 4-0 at Dean Court on Saturday afternoon. Callum Wilson was the hero on the day, as he netted a hat-trick to give his side the win. He opened the scoring as he headed home from a corner, before he got in behind to double the lead. Simon Francis was then sent of before half time, but it wouldn’t stop Eddie Howe’s side as Harry Arter netted a third. However, they weren’t done there as Wilson drilled home his third and his side’s fourth. The hat-trick comes in just Wilson’s second match since returning from a ruptured cruciate ligament.
Oumar Niasse – One of the few positives for Everton this season has been Oumar Niasse, who didn’t even receive a squad number last season under Ronald Koeman. They twice came from behind to take a point against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. James McArthur gave Palace the lead within a minute. However, Everton levelled when Leighton Baines scored from the spot, however Palace regained the lead when Wilfried Zaha slotted home from close range. Niasse equalised when he was played in by Gylfi Sigurdsson, to give the Toffees a big point, taking them three points clear of the drop zone.
Written by Ryan Nevin (@RNevin7)
