A whirlwind weekend in the Premier League saw Liverpool slingshot to the top of the table after they swept aside Bournemouth, while Manchester City lost their grasp on pole position with a tough loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Manchester United got back to winning ways with an impressive showing against Fulham, while Southampton are still looking to secure their second win of the season as they were narrowly beaten by relegation rivals Cardiff City.
Here’s the Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week for Gameweek 16:
GK – Ben Foster (£4.5m): Despite conceding two goals at Goodison Park, Ben Foster’s performance was key in earning Watford a hard-fought point on Monday night. Foster shut out the Everton attack on several occasions, including denying Sigurdsson from the spot (he has missed 2/2 penalties in the Premier League this season).
DF – David Luiz (£5.6m): Everybody’s favourite pantomime villain was back in full effect on Saturday afternoon. David Luiz played out of his skin at the heart of the Chelsea defence, capping off a rock hard defensive performance with a fine headed goal from an Eden Hazard corner kick in the dying moments of the game. The Brazilian headed home his first goal of the campaign, while also helping Chelsea to their eight clean sheet of the season, and a defiant win over Premier League champions Manchester City.
DF – James Tarkowski (£4.7m): James Tarkowski hadn’t found the back of the net since Burnley’s third game of the season against Fulham back in September, but he grabbed the only goal of the game to earn Sean Dyce’s side a crucial three points against Brighton. Tarkowski’s third goal and third clean sheet of the season earn him a place in the Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week.
DF – Ashley Young (£5.7m): The Manchester United captain opened his Premier League goalscoring account at Old Trafford on Saturday with a sublime strike, fizzing across the goal and into the top right corner. He also bagged his third assist of the season in a fine individual performance at left back. A brief reminder of the capabilities of the Ashley Young of old, before he slotted into a more defence-minded role.
DF – Andy Robertson (£6.4m): The Liverpool left-back played yet another stormer against Bournemouth, hurtling up and down the left flank in attack and defence. Roberston has been a revelation at Liverpool this season, with four assists and 10 clean sheets in the league, but still looking for his first goal. A standout performance by Robertson earns him another place in the Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week. It’s not surprising that 31.6% of Fantasy Premier League managers have chosen Roberston in their back line.
http://gty.im/1069807378
MF – Mohamed Salah (£13m): Mo Salah was back to his best against Bournemouth, earning a match ball after he scored a pivotal hat-trick which ultimately sent Jurgen Klopp’s side to the top of the Premier League table. A man of the match performance from Salah saw him rediscover the clinical goalscoring form which he displayed last season, and he now has ten goals for the season. There’s a reason why he’s valued at £13m and selected by a massive 35.6% of Fantasy Premier League managers.
MF – Heung-Min Son (£8.5m): Mauricio Pochettino’s South Korean prodigy Heung-Min Son was the catalyst for Tottenham’s 2-0 win over Leicester City, securing a goal and an assist in a man of the match display against The Foxes. Son is enjoying a run in Pochettino’s lineup after some stellar performances, and has three goals and two assists in his last four league games for Spurs.
MF – Juan Mata (£6.2m): Manchester United’s Spanish playmaker played just his second 90 minutes of the Premier League season, scoring a goal and setting up Romelu Lukaku for his second goal and second assist of the campaign. Mata hasn’t been getting the playing time he wants at Old Trafford this year, but has popped up to produce in key moments when Mourinho has needed it most. Despite his low price, Mata is only selected by 1.1% of Fantasy Premier League managers as he simply hasn’t been featuring enough for The Red Devils.
MF – Felipe Anderson (£7.3m): With Arnautovic out due to injury, West Ham had to look eslewhere for some well-needed firepower and Felipe Anderson delivered with his sixth Premier League goal of the season, while also adding an assist to his tally, as the Hammers narrowly fended off Crystal Palace 3-2. That’s five goals in his last six games.
MF – Lucas Torreira (£5.1m): Torreira scored his second goal of the season as Unai Emery’s Arsenal snatched a late goal to see off a well-organised Huddersfield Town, who have been picking up some momentum with some positive results in recent weeks. Aubamayeng was the provider as the Arsenal midfielder slotted home and kept Arsenal’s unbeaten run in tact, as we approach the busy Chritmas period.
FW – Marcus Rashford (£6.8m): The Manchester United fan favourite was outstanding against Fulham, causing the Cottagers’ defence all sorts of problems at the back with his quick feet and mazy runs. Rashford secured two assists and also scored his Premier League goal at Old Trafford this season (three goals in the league in total). Three goals and five assists to Rashford’s name, and he will be hoping to add to that tally against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
My premature use of the wildcard culminated in a pretty dire week for my Fantasy Premier League team this weekend, totaling just 37 points. Although Doherty and Alonso again earned me some valuable points from the back, the majority of my midfield failed to produce, and not a single goal between my three starting strikers. Leaving Torreira on the bench also came back to haunt me! How did your fantasy team fare in Gameweek 16?
