Gameweek 3 wasn’t without it’s drama as we saw Manchester City snatch a late, late win at Bournemouth, Newcastle pile the pressure on Slaven Bilic, United keep up their 100% start to the season, Liverpool thump a woeful Arsenal and Burnley at the death denying Spurs their first win at the new Wembley this season.
Here are where the points were in gameweek 3 of Fantasy Football:
Goalkeeper
Fraser Forster – Southampton faced unbeaten Huddersfield on Saturday and the 2 teams played out a 0-0 draw, therefore earning Forster a clean sheet. Forster was forced into making 6 saves, which coupled with his clean sheet, helped him also gain maximum bonus points and earn his place in the dream team this week.
Defenders
Ciaran Clark – Our top scoring player this week is Newcastle’s Clark. Facing off against West Ham on Saturday, something had to give as neither team had the joy of a picking up any points in their first 2 games this season. Newcastle came out on top and thumped a sorry Hammers side 3-0. Clark contributed with the second of the three goals, as well as of course picking up a clean sheet, resulting in maximum bonus points too.
Kyle Naughton – A similar situation in the Swansea game too this weekend as both Swansea and Palace were hoping to land their first win of the season. The Welsh side came out on top with a 2-0 victory at Selhurst Park. At the start of the second half, Naughton put Ayew in to grab the second goal for Swansea. Thanks to his clean sheet and assist, he also gained all 3 bonus points.
Joseph Gomez – Gomez has managed appearances in each of the 3 league games so far this season for Liverpool, starting the last 2 against Crystal Palace and more recently Arsenal. It was to be a superb afternoon for Liverpool as they welcomed Arsenal to Anfield and thumped them 4-0. Arsenal struggled to get into the game at all throughout the full 90 minutes but it was Gomes who helped set Liverpool on their way when his delicious cross was met by Firmino. In addition to a clean sheet and despite picking up a yellow card, he did manage 2 bonus points and make it into the dream team this week.
Chancel Mbemba – Despite not having a direct hand in any of the 3 Newcastle goals this week, Mbemba managed to pocket all 3 bonus points in addition to his clean sheet, meaning he makes it a Newcastle double at the back of the dream team this week.
Shane Duffy – Brighton travelled to Vicarage Road this weekend in search of their first points of the season. Despite Miguel Britos doing his best to help the Seagulls out, it wasn’t to be and the 2 sides played out a 0-0 draw. For Duffy, that is job done though as he and the Brighton defence bag a clean sheet and he manages maximum bonus points to help him into the dream team.
Midfielders
Cesc Fabregas – To kick off our 5 attacking players from Sunday’s games, we have Chelsea spaniard Cesc Fabregas who finished cooly against Everton to put Chelsea 1-0 up in the first half at Stamford Bridge. Fabregas saw out the full 90 minutes and with the addition of the 1 point for a clean sheet, Cesc managed the magic 3 bonus points too and a place in the dream team this week.
Mohamed Salah – One of the reasons that Liverpool had such a great afternoon on Sunday was this man, Mo Salah. His link-up play and pace was too much for a deflated Arsenal side and that resulted in him bagging a goal and an assist. First came the goal, Liverpool’s third of the match. Arsenal’s corner was cleared out to last man, Hector Bellerin. Struggling to control the ball, Salah pounced, ran the length of the field and slotted past Cech to seal the win. To add to that, Salah put the ball on a plate with an excellent cross to the back post late on to set up Liverpool substitute, Daniel Sturridge.
Dele Alli – Spurs welcomed Burnley to the new Wembley this Sunday and after a slow first half, Dele put Spurs in the lead from close range at the start of the second half. A scramble in the box and failure to clear the ball meant that Alli could simply slot past Heaton. However, the Alli goal wasn’t to be the winner as Burnley debutant, Chris Wood, came off the bench to score what could be a crucial equaliser and point for Burnley in the 92nd minute. Despite this, Alli’s contribution earned him 2 bonus points and a place int he dream team this week.
Forwards
Roberto Firmino – Another one of the reasons why Liverpool had such a great afternoon on Sunday. Firmino played out 80 minutes of the 4-0 win over Arsenal and he stamped his mark on the match by netting the first and setting up the second. A great header into the ground from Gomez’s cross made it a difficult save for Cech to make and banked Liverpool their first goal of the game. His assist came on the counter when he put Sadio Mane in and the Senegalese international did the rest. Despite his early exit, he managed all 3 bonus points.
Alvaro Morata – Our final player this week is Chelsea striker, Alvaro Morata. A goal and an assist in the 2-0 win over Everton meant that his tallies increased to 2 goals and 2 assists in 186 minutes of Premier League football. Not a bad start to life in England’s top flight. First came the assist as he helped Fabregas work it through the Everton penalty area. Second came the assist as a Dave cross meant Morata merely had to glance the header into the far corner, out of reach for Jordan Pickford. A good afternoon at the Bridge meant Chelsea rise to 6th, Morata lands maximum bonus points and he takes his place as the final player in the dream team this week.
Written by Ryan Nevin (@RNevin7)
