This weeks edition of the newsletter is a belter before the international break. There were goals galore in this weekends fixtures including 3, yes 3, hattricks and many talking points. Let’s dive in.

Luton 1 - 2 West Ham

Another Friday, and who better to spend it with than Luton Town. Last time out they were comfortably beaten by Chelsea away from home. However, with the first Premier League game at Kenilworth Road to come, you could sense the optimism was high.

Luton started the brighter of the two sides, yet it was the Hammers that prevailed with the first goal. Lucas Paqueta delivered a delightful cross to the back post for Jarrod Bowen to grab his 3rd of the season. A quite stern reality check for The Hatters. This goal dampened the mood a bit at Kenilworth Road and the result was confirmed when Zouma powerfully headed home to make it 2-0. There was a consolation for Luton as they gave the fans something to cheer as Mads Juel Andersen got Luton their first home goal of the season. This was to the detriment of many FPL owners with West Ham defensive assets, some might of thought the clean sheet was secure!

Top FPL performers - Zouma (11) Andersen (8) Bowen (7)Ward-Prowse (7)

Blades and Toffees Share the Spoils

Sheffield United 2 - 2 Everton

Coming into this game, these two teams had a grand total of 0 points between them. People dubbing this as ‘El Shitico’ but really, this is the first real 6 pointer. No matter how early it is. Both teams needed to win, but both teams also couldn’t afford to lose.

This was a real action packed game with end to end action. Doucoure opened the scoring before Cameron Archer grabbed an equaliser. It was destined to be a draw at the break before an unfortunate ricochet saw Pickford score an own goal off the back of his head. 2-1 Blades at half time, could they hold on?

Evidently not. Danjuma got on the end of a low cross by Patterson to tap home the equaliser. Another importnat goal for Everton by Danjuma after his late winner at Doncaster in the week.

Towards the end of the game, it seemed as though both teams were happy to settle at 2-2. Get your first points on the board and then go again after the Internationals.

However the home side had an incredible opportunity in the 98th minute of the game where it took England’s number 1 to keep the game at a stalemate. Sheffield United could have had all 3 points, however both teams share a point a piece.

Top FPL performers - Archer (12) Doucoure (8) Danjuma (7)

3pm Madness

There were goals galore in the 3pm kick offs this week. Except for Stamford Bridge. That was the opposite.

Chelsea 0 - 1 Nottingham Forest

Chelsea were unable to push forward after last week’s triumph against Luton. It was a Forest sides who have pushed Manchester United and Arsenal close this season who came away with a 1-0 away win. It was that man again up top for Forest causing chaos. Taiwo Awoniyi was on hand to set up Anthony Elanga for his first Forest goal.

With Dan Worrall back in the side after serving his suspension midweek, Forest looked like a force to break down. Not even £1 Billion worth of players could score a goal against them. Quite the feat for Forest.

Top FPL performers - Boly (9) Worrall (9) Elanga (7)

Manchester City 5-1 Fulham

Manchester City welcomed Fulham to the Etihad in another 3pm KO. It wasn’t as straight forward as one might think in the opening half an hour with no shots from City. Alvarez broke the deadlock but Fulham responded with Tim Ream.

City decided that now was the time to take flight and put 4 more past a weakening Fulham side. This included a hat-trick from the robot himself, his first of the 2023/24 season. This result meant that City are the only team to maintain a 100% record this season. How many more hat-tricks will Haaland get???

Top FPL performers - Haaland (20) Alvarez (14) Ake (8)

Burnley 2-5 Tottenham Hotspur

Not too far away from the Etihad, Burnley were hosting an in form Tottenham. That is, if you don’t count the blip in midweek against Fulham.

With Son playing through the middle and Richarlison off the pitch, the goals were flying in for Spurs.

An early setback with a Lyle Foster goal wasn’t enough to stop the rout. Son grabbed a hattrick, with

Top FPL performers - Son (20) Solomon (10) Romero (7) Maddison (7)

Brentford 2-2 Bournemouth

At the capital we had a very interesting game take place. Mathius Jensen got the scoring underway as his very cheeky free kick caught out Neto. Brentford were dominating the game, but it was Bournemouth who got on the scoresheet next. Dominik Solanke calmly tucking the ball away to level the scoring.

As we said, Brentford were dominating possession and even managed to hit the woodwork multiple times during the game. However a loose pass from Rico Henry sent Marcus Tavernier through on goal before he unselfishly gave the ball to David Brooks who rounded the keeper and put his team 2-1 up. If it wasn’t for a late Brian Mbeumo equaliser they would have taken all 3 points back to the coast with them.

Top FPL performers - Jensen (9) Brooks (8) Mbeumo (8)

Ferguson Fires Three past Howe’s Newcastle

The evening kick off on Saturday was one that had a lot of anticipation built up around it. Newcastle were struggling at the start of the year, having only won their first fixture. Brighton were flying despite their little slip up to the Hammers last week. It was the travelling side who had the first real opportunity of the game with Alexander Isak fluffing his lines and firing his shot wide of the post.

On the 27th minute mark, young Irish international Evan Ferguson put the seagulls 1-0 up. Billy Gilmore had a powerful long range effort saved by Nick Pope, but he was unable to hold on to the ball. It fell right to the feet of 18 year old Ferguson who tapped the ball home. Newcastle kept trying to probe but were unable to find the back of the net in the first half.

The second half started at quite a sluggish pace, both teams were clearly cautious of conceding the next goal. It took a long range effort to break the stalemate and who else but the youngster Ferguson to do so. Placing his shot perfectly where Pope was unable to reach it. Only 5 minutes after his second he capped off his performance with the hattrick. This time getting lucky with a deflection but we don’t think the young man will care one bit!

There was a consolation goal for the travelling Newcastle fans, Callum Wilson found the back of the net after latching on to Sean Longstaff’s long pass. It wasn’t what the travelling fans had hoped for. They were outplayed and could never really get a foothold in the game. Eddie Howe has some serious work to do over this international break!

Brighton 3-1 Newcastle

Top FPL performers - Ferguson (17) Gilmore (11) Wilson (6)

Super Sunday

Crystal Palace 3-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers

This game was televised when Liverpool vs Aston Villa was not. At the start of the day we were wondering why, but oh my we were wrong. It had it all. A bit of VAR controversy in the first half when Eberechi Eze going down inside of the box; upon the VAR check it was seen that Joao Gomes stepped on Eze’s foot but no penalty was given. Jordan Ayew then sent the ball to the heavens when he missed a golden opportunity.

After a goalless first half, Crystal Palace flew out of the stalls for the second half to start. Tyrick Mitchell finding the inform Odsonne Edouard who finished off in a cool fashion. 10 minutes later Wolves answered back through substitute Hwang Hee Chan. The Korean had a lucky touch off of his shoulder from Pedro Neto’s cross from a freekick.

Eze then got on the score sheet after substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta assisted him with his back? It wasn’t why manager Roy Hodgson subbed him on but it works! Edouard then got his second of the game to take Palace to a two goal lead. The points were all but sealed for the hosts, but not before Wolves knocked another one in from the head of Matheus Cunha.

This win moves Roy’s men up to 7th in the table before the first international break. Despite them losing Zaha in the transfer window they are looking very good this season.

Top FPL performers - Edouard (13) Neto (10) Eze (8)

Liverpool 3-0 Aston Villa

Over in Liverpool there was a big clash taking place between the inform Aston Villa and Liverpool. The game was largely dominated by the home side who opened the scoring just after 3 minutes. Dominik Szoboszlai with his first Premier League goal after rifling home a tough opportunity when the ball fell to him from a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner. 20 minutes later the hosts doubled their lead after Darwin Nunez hits the post but the ball then rebounds off of Matty Cash and into his own net. Not good for all the FPL managers who brought him in following his great game week last weekend.

Mohamed Salah then made certain of the three points when he pounced on a lovely flick from Nunez who won a header from a TAA corner. Aston Villa will want to forget

Declan Rice Shows his Worth with late Winner

Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United

This game renewed old rivalries and you could see their was no love shared between the two teams once the referee blew his whistle to signify kick off. Arsenal were the team playing on the front foot with a huge opportunity coming to Kai Havertz who fluffed his lines. It was the visitors who got on the score sheet first, with Christian Eriksen finding Marcus Rashford through on goal. The United lad through and through fired a powerful shot that Aaron Ramsdale was unable to keep out.

Delight for the travelling fans quickly turned to dismay. Martin Odegaard leading his team from the front and producing a response to United’s opener within a minute. Erikson this time at fault for leaving his man open for his shot. The Gunners were on top but were unable to find the back of the net again in this half.

Ten Haag’s United team were playing in a very cool possession based manner, with Andre Onana at the heart of this new look Manchester United team. They welcomed Arsenal to press them but were able to play out from the back and were able to get through the home side. It was Arsenal who were awarded a penalty after Havertz was brought down inside the box. It looked as if it was a stone wall penalty ,but upon further inspection you could see that Havertz initiated the contact with Aaron Wan-Bissaka. No penalty.

The game was filled with pace and danger with both teams pushing for a go ahead goal. Rasmus Hojland was then given his Manchester United debut and you could see why they paid in excess of £70 million for the young man from Denmark. Physical, quick and just a nuisance for the Arsenal defence. It wasn’t until the 88th minute that United thought they had a winner through Alejandro Garnacho. VAR once again intervened and deemed the young Argentinian to be offside.

Declan Rice then got a late goal after a bit of controversy. Johnny Evans was being held by Gabriel who surely would have closed down the £100 million pound man. This time VAR did not intervene sending the crowd into a frenzy. United were then just committing bodies forward before Fabio Viera sent Gabriel Jesus through on goal who then sent the Emirates into a frenzy.

This was an absolute classic which saw so much good for both teams but ultimately the fans of Arsenal will be happier.

In the midst of some VAR controversy, Manchester United manager Erik Ten Haag spoke about the disallowed Garnacho goal and questioned why VAR only used one angle. Let us know what you think of the call VAR made on our socials!

Top FPL performers - Rice (10) Rashford (7) Eriksen (7) Odegaard (7)

Current Standings

Machester City sit at the summit while Everton finally have a point, but it’s not enough to take them out of the relegation spots!

Winning Ways’ Team of the Week

Honourable mentions:

Cameron Archer - The young man really impressed on his debut in the Premier League against Everton, scoring one and forcing Jordan Pickford into causing an own goal. If three other attackers wouldn’t have had hattricks then he could have been in this team.

Julian Alvarez - He had a great game against Fulham, getting himself on the scoresheet. All of his work that he does to help plays evolve is exceptional and we really think he is developing into a great player under Pep.

Ones to Watch

Alexis Mac Allister - Liverpool have looked very good in recent weeks, and we cant see this impressive run from the Reds ending at the Mollineaux on the 16th. We’ve been impressed by Szoboszlai but yet to have been completely wowed by the Argentine midfielder. A match against a Wolves side struggling at the moment could be a great opportunity for the midfielder to get his Liverpool account open!

Rasmus Hojlund - When this young Dane was brought on against Arsenal last week he was electric. He seemed to be everything Manchester United had been lacking up front, his hold up play and pace was what really impressed us. We expect that after this international break when United face Brighton he could really impress. His cameo was brief however we think he could be the real deal!