Wolves vs. Liverpool
For the third time this season, Liverpool rallied from a goal down to record a Premier League victory, winning 3-1 away to Wolves in the first game of the week.
Wolves were superb in the first period, with Pedro Neto causing Joe Gomez all sorts of problems and they really should have been more than a goal up.
After the break though Liverpool rallied and Mohamed Salah was again heavily involved for the Reds.
Salah is one of just two FPL players to return in all five Premier League games thus far, assisting two and unlucky not to get a third assist late on.
I intend to use my wildcard soon and Salah will be a lock in the side; however he had just 0.07xG at Molineux, although did create over 60% of Liverpool’s xA.
Manchester United vs. Brighton
Another defensive disasterclass for Manchester United as Brighton recorded a fourth consecutive win against the Red Devils.
Brighton over-performed their xG with some clinical finishes; however controlled the game for long periods, having recovered from a relatively slow start.
From an FPL perspective the points were shared and it was a blank for Kaoru Mitoma who failed to create any xA at Old Trafford.
With Bournemouth up next he remains an easy hold, with could be offloaded shortly after with Brighton’s Europa League campaign in full swing.
Tariq Lamptey shown in the absence of Pervis Estupinan, although I’d expect the Ecuadorian to return to the XI after his breather here.
As for United, home debutant Rasmus Hojland looked lively and had a first half goal disallowed.
Tottenham vs. Sheffield United
The good times continue for Spurs and Ange Postecoglou as they left it incredibly late to beat Sheffield United.
The Blades frustrated Tottenham for long periods and surprisingly led through a Gustavo Hamer volley.
Son Heung-Min was the most brought player for GW5; however returned just two points, creating just 0.15xg. With just 10 minutes remaining and Spurs trailing, he was subbed as well.
Another popular pick in James Maddison was involved in just 0.26xga and was also booked for a disappointing one point return.
It was the low owned options who got the returns for Spurs, with Dejan Kulusevski scoring an 110th minute winner. The Swedish international had an incredible seven shots and made the most key passes of any Tottenham option.
With Arsenal and Liverpool up next, I’d definitely be moving on a Spurs midfielder if I had two, but keeping one of Maddison or Son should be okay.
West Ham United vs. Manchester City
Manchester City recorded a fifth consecutive win of the season, recovering from a goal down to beat the previously unbeaten West Ham United.
Despite scoring late on, the FPL machine that is Erling Haaland had a rare off day, under performing his xG in the game by nearly two. Those that went against the Norwegian for the captaincy very much got away with one.
Julian Alvarez incredible start to the campaign continued with another two assists. He backed this up with a brace in the Champions League and is likely to be the most brought player going into GW6.
From a West Ham perspective, James Ward-Prowse was given the most licence to get forward from midfield and he continued his good start to life at the London Stadium.
A trip to Liverpool in GW6 is as tough as they come, but Ward-Prowse and Jarrod Bowen could be good options from Sheffield United in seven onwards.
Bournemouth vs. Chelsea
Chelsea assets continue to disappoint as their poor start to the campaign continued with a goalless draw at Bournemouth.
Ben Chilwell owners didn’t even get the clean sheet return, with the vice-captain surprisingly named among the substitutes. To top a horror week off, he returned a 0 pointer, following a late yellow card in a short cameo.
Nicolas Jackson returned a fourth one pointer of the season and despite some nice touches, he never looked like scoring.
Raheem Sterling was again Chelsea’s best offensive player and was unlucky not to score a superb free-kick that smashed the woodwork.
Bournemouth are yet to win under Andoni Iraola; however have been handed arguably the toughest start of any side.
Performances have been good though and the likes of Dominic Solanke and Phillip Billing will be good budget options once the fixture list turns in their favour from GW8.
Everton vs. Arsenal
Arsenal edged past a blunt Everton side in Sunday’s final game, with substitute Leandro Trossard scoring the only goal.
The winner was a superb finished from Trossard, who could become a good FPL asset depending on the severity of Gabriel Martinelli’s injury.
Bukayo Saka produced another assist and has four returns in his first five games. However he didn’t have a single shot and could well be a rotation option in recent weeks with the Gunners’ Champions League campaign starting on Wednesday.
Arsenal keep considerably more clean sheets away from the Emirates and have conceded just 1.35xG on the road this season.
As for Everton they were incredibly defensive and have scored in just one of their first five matches, losing all three at Goodison Park by a goal to nil.
