FPL Gameweek 2 Review – Fantasy Premier League Tips

We entered gameweek 2 ahead of the new Friday night fixture with hopes of more goals than we saw during the season’s curtain-raisers last week-end. FPL managers had their first chance to tinker with their line-ups, having seen their players play, or not in some cases. With it comes the ‘stick or twist’ scenario, with managers scared to let players whose prices are falling stagnate further, while also being wary of making snap judgements on players that will have something to offer in the coming weeks. However, it’s a marathon and not a sprint. That being said here’s our FPL gameweek 2 review, looking at who shone during the second round of Premier League matches.

Here’s how the FPL dream team looked after Gameweek 2:

FPL Gameweek 2 Review

Goalkeeper

Tom Heaton – Burnley were able to pull off a memorable 2-0 win over Klopp’s Liverpool at Turf Moor on Saturday, and that was in no small part down to Heaton’s solid display in net for the Clarets. Burnley stunned Liverpool as Sam Vokes hammered past Simon Mignolet from the edge of the penalty area to give them the lead within 5 minutes, before Andre Gray doubled their lead shortly before half time with good skill and composure on the counter attack. A win that Burnley will no doubt savour for a long time.

Defenders

Curtis Davies – After being heavily tipped for relegation, Hull have stunned fans across England, having won both of their opening two Premier League matches against Leicester City and Swansea City respectively. One contributing factor is certainly the strength possessed within their back four. Nobody personifies this more than Curtis Davies, who has turned in two superb performances, picking up a clean sheet as well as an assist at the Liberty Stadium against Swansea City. There is certainly hope for the Tigers.

Luke Shaw – You won’t find many who aren’t pleased to see Luke Shaw playing regularly for Manchester United, especially after the horrendous injuries he’s had to contend with the past couple of seasons. He showcased his ability all too well against Southampton at Old Trafford, not only keeping a clean sheet but also winning a penalty for his side after he was played in on one of his speedy overlaps. On a day where Pogba was the headline, Shaw played a blinder.

Patrick van Aanholt – The Dutch international has always possessed great attacking ability, and this has made him an FPL favourite of many a manager over the past few seasons, and found the net this week after he reacted fastest to Brad Guzan’s parry against a strong Middlesbrough side. Unfortunately, he was to be on the losing side as Boro ran out 2-1 winners at the Stadium of Light. Sunderand will have to improve defensively, and fast, if they’re to avoid the dreaded drop yet again.

Midfielders

Nolito – Having perhaps gone under the radar as far as FPL managers are concerned, Nolito will have to compete for game time with others such as Kevin De Bruyne, Leroy Sané and a seemingly revitalised Raheem Sterling. However, performances like this won’t hurt his chances, as Nolito was there to slot in two simple finishes after he was teed up by Raheem Sterling and Kelechi Iheanacho respectively. A deserved space in this week’s dream team.

Shaun Maloney – Another player from Hull, Maloney was the difference maker as he was brought off the bench by caretaker-manager Mike Phelan. He will no doubt be delighted with the change, as Maloney scored the Tigers’ first before laying on the second for Abel Hernandez in injury-time. Hull have made just 1 substitution over the two opening matches so far, and such tactical prowess will stand Phelan in good stead to secure the manager’s job on a permanent basis.

Victor Wanyama – Not renowned for his goalscoring ability, Victor Wanyama endeared himself to the Spurs’ faithful in style, netting the winner as he turned in from Harry Kane’s speculative header from a corner. The Kenyan’s main job will no doubt be to break up play, however he stepped up when Spurs needed the goal, as they seemed to be up against it with Palace’s defence and goalkeeper putting up a stern test. Wanyama couldn’t have wished for a better home debut, and so earns himself a place in the dream team.

Michail Antonio – Antonio left his mark on West Ham history, scoring the first ever goal and their new ‘London stadium’. They seemed to be struggling to break down a resilient Bournemouth side, before midfielder Harry Arter was sent off for a second bookable offence. West Ham then pushed on in search of a winner, and they found it when Antonio rose highest to power in the header from Gokhan Tore’s back-post cross. Cue the celebrations, as West Ham go into what they will be hoping is a huge season for the London club.

Forwards

Christian Stuani – Christian Stuani had a Premier League debut to remember, netting two goals to sink a new-look Sunderland side. Stuani picked the ball up in the first half from Alvaro Negredo, before driving at goal, and unleashing a thunderbolt from 25 yards that left keeper Vito Mannone with no chance. Stuani was on hand to make it 2-0 when Adam Forshaw found Negredo once again, who dummied before unselfishly laying Stuani on for his brace. Boro have shown a lot of promise so far, and will hope for more of the same as they aim for Premier League survival.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic – The only player to feature in both dream teams so far, Zlatan Ibrahimovic yet again proved he means business, as Manchester United eased past a Southampton side that didn’t create a great deal. Ibrahimovic rose highest to power in from Wanye Rooney’s cross. His second, a coolly-converted penalty after the afore mentioned Luke Shaw was brought down in the box. He finds himself joint top-scorer after the first two game weeks, level with our final player in this week’s dream team…

Sergio Aguero – It’s never a surprise to see Sergio Aguero in the dream team, as he bagged a brace, taking his tally to 6 goals in seven days, after his hat-trick in midweek. One thing that may have concerned FPL managers was that he had missed two penalties in that European tie in Bucharest and in turn that he may have been removed from such duties. Not to fear, Aguero was the first man to step up when Ryan Shwacross was penalised for hauling Nicolas Otamendi to the floor in the Stoke box. Aguero stepped up and punished Stoke, before he nodded in from a Kevin De Bruyne free-kick not long after. A strong performance from City under Pep Guardiola.

Written by Ryan Nevin (@RyanNevin7)

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