Gameweek 13 Review – FPL Tips

Gameweek 13 sees us edge ever closer to the festive season, and for Premier League sides a busy period filled with action. The weekend started off with a Spurs side under new management taking on West Ham United. Arsenal needed a win as they welcomed a struggling Southampton side to the Emirates. The game of the weekend would come at Manchester City, with Chelsea looking to all-but end City’s title challenge. Sheffield United faced Manchester United on Sunday, before Aston Villa rounded off the action against Newcastle. Anyway, here’s the FPL Updates gameweek review…

Goalkeeper

Tim Krul – Things were beginning to look bleak for bottom of the league Norwich City. Manager Daniel Farke had spoken about his side’s terrible form after an encouraging start to the season in the lead up to their clash with Everton. The Toffees have endured an abysmal start to the season, and it seems like a matter of time before the club’s hierarchy feel they need to make a change. Marco Silva has been living on borrowed time by Premier League standards in recent weeks, and this result may well be the nail in the coffin…

Defenders

James Tarkowski – Another side struggling at the wrong end of the Premier League table is Watford, who have won just once in the league. They welcomed a Burnley side that don’t roll over without a fight. In a tight game it seemed like it would be settled by the odd goal. You couldn’t have been more wrong. Once the Clarets went in front through Chris Wood, they ran away with it. Ashley Barnes converted from the spot after VAR awarded a penalty. James Tarkowski then fired home at the second attempt to secure a good result for Sean Dyche’s side.

Steve Cook – AFC Bournemouth are a real mixed bag in the Premier League, seemingly being unstoppable or abysmal in equal measure. They were unfortunate as they fell to a strong Wolves side on Saturday. Steve Cook was on the scoresheet for the Cherries, who after going 2-0 down found themselves a man down when, on his return from a long-term injury, Simon Francis was given his marching orders. It’s back to the drawing board for Eddie Howe and his side. They’ll look to bounce back next weekend.

Frederic Guilbert – Aston Villa seem to have found their feet after a slow start to the season. They were unlucky to slip to a narrow defeat as they welcomed Liverpool to Villa Park last time out. The Villa fans have been impressed with new French import Frederic Guilbert, who has impressed in the early stages of his first season in English football. The midlands side were delighted to record a 2-0 home victory against Newcastle United on Monday as they welcomed back former boss Steve Bruce, who sits in the Magpies’ dugout these days.

Midfielders

Conor Hourihane – Undoubtedly one of Aston Villa’s better technical players, Conor Hourihane has made a brilliant start to life as a Premier League player. Having signed from Barnsley a couple of seasons ago, he has adapted brilliantly to the demands of the Premier League and put his side in front against Newcastle United when he bent a superb freekick around the wall and into the corner of the net. He would go on to set up his side’s second as Anwar El Ghazi made the points safe for Dean Smith’s side.

John Fleck – Sheffield United continue to defy expectations under boss Chris Wilder in the Premier League. Their unusual system has seen the Yorkshire side receive plaudits from managers and pundits alike. Their never-say-die attitude has helped them into sixth position in the league, and they had to dig deep again this weekend to secure a last-minute equaliser in a brilliant contest between them and Manchester United. Ollie McBurnie was the man who had the final day as his equaliser saw the contest finish even at 3-3.

Heung-Min Son – Eyebrows were raised when Spurs sacked popular boss Mauricio Pochettino last week, especially when they hired José Mourinho to replace him. The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss was met with a mixed reaction as his side travelled to face West Ham United in an eagerly anticipated clash. The ‘Special one’ did it again, though, as his side romped to go three goals up at the London Stadium. Goals from Michail Antonio and Angelo Ogbonna made it look closer than it was in truth.

Todd Cantwell – Norwich City were in desperate need of a win as they travelled to Goodison Park to take on fellow strugglers Everton. In truth, Everton probably created more in terms of opportunities, but Norwich were clinical, and took the lead when youth product Todd Cantwell ran through to slot past Jordan Pickford in the Toffees net. Everton built some momentum in search of an equaliser, but their finishing let them down. It proved to be costly when Dennis Srbeny put the game out of reach late on.

Forwards

Alexandre Lacazette – Arsenal are really struggling at the moment, and as they approached a home clash with a struggling side Unai Emery was in desperate need of a win. Danny Ings sparked home groans when he put the away side in front. Alex Lacazette cancelled it out when he equalised shortly after. However, James Ward-Prowse converted a rebound when Bernd Leno had saved his spot kick to seemingly win it. Deep into injury time, though, Lacazette struck again to deny Southampton what would have been a massive win.

Jamie Vardy – This man can’t stop scoring right now, and Jamie Vardy tops the goalscoring charts after a simply brilliant start to the season. He’s always a danger, especially away from home. Brighton and Hove Albion found out first-hand what he can do on the break. It was the former England international who flew through before squaring the ball to Ayoze Perez to spark great scenes in the Foxes end. Vardy would find the net himself late on when his retaken penalty saw the Foxes go home with all three points.

Marcus Rashford – Despite his side’s woes, Marcus Rashford has started the season relatively well. His side found themselves two goals down away at Sheffield United, before brilliant goals from three youth products turned the game. Brandon Williams drilled home brilliantly before Mason Greenwood tapped in from close range. Marcus Rashford then converted from a flowing move. They looked to have secured the three points, however they were left to lament some poor defending when the Blades snatched a late equaliser.

Written by Ryan Nevin (@RNevin7)