My head-to-head opponent for gameweek 3 was my lifelong friend Jermaine. For the record; we were the two best footballers in the primary school we went to, that means absolutely nothing in regards to playing fantasy football, but I thought I would let you know anyway, 'lol'. As we are in regular contact, I made the mistake of leaving him a voice note, to tell him not only are we enemies with the fact that Liverpool are playing Arsenal, but also for the fact that we are squaring off in the 'Justice League'. Jermaine had not checked who his next game was against, so thanked me, 'I should have kept my mouth shut really'. Jermaine was pre-empting changing up his strategy for the gameweek, so it could have been a case of self-sabotage by informing him. When the games did kick off I realised that he had used his 'free hit' bonus chip.
I had two free transfers to make this week, after I had not made one in gameweek 2. After a lot of deliberation, I finally decided to put in Burnley's Jimmy Dunne (£4m), (after a conversation with my close friend Rian aka Milito) at the back instead of Issa Diop who unfortunately has Coronavirus. This transfer saved me money as Diop was valued at £4.5m. In midfield was the trickier decision to make. I had thought about putting in Aston Villa's John McGinn (£5.5m), who was a mainstay in my team last season until injury, or Leeds' Jack Harrison who had impressed me. I eventually decided to go with another Leeds player in Helder Costa (£5.6m), who I thought was good from his Wolves days, and who also had been in good form to start the Premier League season. Costa took the place of John Lundstram (Sheffield United), who as I eluded to last week I sold for missing a penalty and costing me getting to 100 points. In true FPL fashion, I knew at least one of these players that I had decided against would make me regret leaving them out. In regards to my choice of captain this week; I expected Jamie Vardy to score against Manchester City, as he has a good record against them, but I decided to give it to Sadio Mane, as he has a good record against Arsenal.
The week's action started at the Amex Stadium; as Brighton hosted Manchester United. This was a game that impacted me and Jermaine. Brighton took the lead through a Neal Maupay penalty. The spot kick was won by Tariq Lamptey, so that meant points for me, as winning a penalty counts as a 'fantasy' assist if the penalty is scored. I had grown a dislike for the name Tariq because of the character in the programme 'Power', but the play of Brighton's nippy right full back has appeased me. Tariq slander is no more! Long may Lamptey's growth continue, leaving Chelsea last season was the correct decision as he is playing regularly and flourishing. United levelled through an own by Lewis Dunk, which meant that Jermaine lost a point, 'yay'. He also had Donny van de Beek in his team, and he only came off the bench right at the end, so had no real time to contribute. United won the game 3-2 with a penalty rightfully given at the end. I said end, but it was actually given after the final whistle. What do we call that 'uber-Fergie time?!'.
The second game on Saturday was at Selhurst Park as Everton won 2-1 away at Crystal Palace. The opening goal was scored of course by Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Calvert-Lewin has scored the most goals in the Premier League since Carlo Ancelotti took charge of the Toffees midway through last season, and Jermaine had him in his team, so you can imagine my reaction at the time. I had left Joel Ward on my bench this week, and that was a good thing as he did not register a point as he was booked and Palace conceded twice. A terrible handball decision went against Ward, giving Everton a penalty for their second goal. Next up was West Brom against Chelsea. This looked like a straightforward away win for Chelsea at the Hawthorns before the game, but they found themselves 3-0 down at half time. My opponent had Reece James, so the Chelsea full back only got him one point. Chelsea did battle back to get a 3-3 draw, but there was no goal again for new signing Timo Werner. The German international was the second most captained player (804,000 selections) in gameweek 3, but has only returned nine points in three games thus far.
The last game on Saturday was a huge one for me. Burnley and Southampton clashed at Turf Moor, and I had no less than three Southampton players in my team. Alex McCarthy in goal, Kyle Walker-Peters in defence, and the man in the form of his life Danny Ings up top. I do not really like doubling up at the back with players from the same club, but luckily for me the risk paid off...just. The Saints were maybe a little fortunate as there was an offside in the second half given against Burnley's Chris Wood that was very tight. The only goal in the game was scored by that man Ings after a good team move. McCarthy made a good save late on from a vicious Charlie Taylor strike to secure the win.
Sunday began with the Yorkshire derby between Sheffield United and Leeds at Bramall Lane. Leeds won 1-0, with a goal right at the death from a man I spoke of last week Patrick Bamford. As I thought would happen, the goal was provided by one of the men I overlooked Harrison, who provided a great cross. Illan Meslier in the Leds goal made two great saves from John Lundstram, or I would have been left ruing taking him out of my side. Next up was Spurs at home to Newcastle. The game finished 1-1, as Karl Darlow in the Magpies' goal thought that he was prime Gianluigi Buffon for the day. Tottenham took the lead through Lucas Moura, and it was another assist for Harry Kane, so points for me there. Another scandalous handball decision gave a late penalty to Newcastle that was scored by Callum Wilson. Heung-min Son came off at half time and could be out for for quite awhile with a hamstring issue, so I will have to transfer him out. Despite only playing a half, Son hit the woodwork twice and Jose Mourinho will be scratching his head at how his team have not got three points here. One thing is for sure, the handball rule has to go back to what it was before, because this has gone past ridiculous.
The next game provided a result no one was expecting, as Leicester won 5-2 away at Manchester City. Jamie Vardy scored a hat-trick including two penalties. I expected him to score as I stated earlier, but three goals is far from I was thinking would happen, imagine if he was my captain! Kevin De Bruyne was the most captained player in FPL this week, and he only delivered two points for almost million people who selected him for the captaincy. Jermaine had him, so all was good as I powered towards victory. In Sunday's final game; West Ham smashed Wolves 4-0. I thought I had my goal from the Hammers' Tomas Soucek, but it was given as an own goal by Raul Jimenez, which ironically lost Jermaine further points as he had the Mexican as one of his forwards. Being unlucky to have two players score own goals in the same week is an understatement of the highest proportion.
On Monday, Aston Villa strolled to a 3-0 win at Fulham. And I thought it was a joke at first but bookmakers Paddy Power are paying out on the Cottagers being relegated already. After three games this must surely be a first. I do not want to say Fulham look hopeless, because then they will turn into prime Brazil by the time they play my beloved Liverpool. John McGinn got himself not one, but two assists, so both the players I ended up overlooking contributed more than my decision to go with Helder Costa. Villa after looking abject numerous times, despite staying up last season are yet to concede in their opening two games. Emiliano Martinez has not had much to do, but is getting points for his fantasy owners, he made an error but luckily for him the goal was disallowed for a harsh foul that was spotted. The final game of gameweek 3 was at Anfield, as Liverpool beat Arsenal 3-1. Andy Robertson's miss-kick gave the Gunners the lead, but he redeemed himself later on by getting Liverpool's second goal. The earlier equaliser had been netter by my captain Sadio Mane. Mane had to score to get back into my good books, after getting booked almost as soon as the game kicked off. There was nothing from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang against Liverpool once again in the league. So in the end it was a comprehensive victory for me.'Hope we are still cool J?!'. See what I did there?!
I have now made my best start ever after three games of FPL. I have accumulated 223 points and I am top of 11 of the 14 leagues that I am in, this includes being 3rd in the head-to-head league. Long may it continue. realistically however, as is always the case with FPL, the bad weeks hit hard. I am hoping to get enough points early on so I do not suffer as much as I have in previous when they do come however. Hopefully the knock Jamie Vardy got was not a serious one, as I am looking forward to more penalty parties.
@DubulDee
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