Gameweek 8 Review: All the key takeaways from every GW8 game
Couldn’t watch the games? No problem, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll go through all the key points from Gameweek 8 and analyse every game from an FPL perspective
Ipswich Vs Nottingham Forest
Forest were much, much better, but Ipswich defended well. Forest were extremely unlucky and also struggled with their finishing.
Gibbs-White: He was incredibly unlucky. His shot was cleared off the line, and he created the most chances in the game (3) without his teammates converting them. A major reason he hasn’t returned more points is that his teammates keep missing the chances he creates.
Williams: He finally scored! His forward runs paid off, and he found the net. I doubt he’ll repeat this regularly, but he had a good game.
Delap: He had 3 shots, all off target. Unfortunately, he couldn’t maintain his good short-term form, and he’s not particularly appealing right now.
Ndoye: A poor performance. He has missed the most big chances among Forest players and also wasted a big scoring opportunity in this game.
Enciso: He had the most shots in the game (4). His performance was better and reminded me of his early-season displays, but I’m still not bringing him in.
Davis: He cleared the ball off the line twice to prevent goals, including Gibbs-White’s effort. Apart from that, he offered very little going forward.
Final Thoughts
Nothing much to say about Ipswich. As for Forest, I genuinely think Gibbs-White has been unlucky, and his teammates aren’t doing enough with the chances he creates. If I owned Gibbs-White and didn’t have a better alternative, I’d hold him.
Aston villa Vs Manchester city
City were clearly the better team, but Villa defended really well. City were also somewhat unlucky not to get more out of the game.
Jackson: He had the most shots in the game (3), but his second goal was somewhat fortunate. He’s a reliable option worth buying, although scoring twice from just 0.37 xG shows how much luck he had today.
Manzambi: I expected more from Manzambi. Perhaps he would have performed better playing as a CAM. He created no chances and managed just 1 shot, which was off target.
McGinn: He didn’t register a shot but created the most chances in the game (4). He’s a player who consistently gets himself into dangerous positions.
Cherki: He created 2 chances and had 1 shot. His opportunity was a really good one, but he failed to take it. Overall, it wasn’t a great performance.
Ndiaye: Extremely active and dangerous, constantly troubling City’s defence with his dribbling down the right flank. He provided an assist and hit the post. A very good performance.
Doku: More than capable of providing assists, with the most touches in the opposition box (8) and the joint-most shots (3). The problem is that everyone knows how dangerous he is, making him heavily marked by defenders.
Gvardiol: A very good performance, making frequent runs into the box and registering 3 shots with 0.45 xG. He was unlucky not to get a return.
Final Thoughts
Last week, I preferred Manzambi, and I still believe he has explosive potential. However, if you want a more reliable option, Jackson is the one to go for.
As for City, almost every player apart from Enzo and Haaland feels like a headache. If you bring any of them in, be prepared for rotation.
Arsenal vs Everton
Arsenal were clearly the better team in attack. Everton managed to create a few chances, but none of them looked particularly dangerous or threatening.
Ødegaard: He was very active and arguably Arsenal’s driving force in attack. He had the most shots in the game (5) and was unlucky not to get an attacking return.
Rice: He played deeper than Ødegaard but remained dangerous. He created the most chances in the game (4), showing that he can still be an attacking threat from a deeper position.
White: He played very high up the pitch and made some excellent forward runs. He also created 3 chances. If he avoids rotation with Timber, he could be a good option.
Gabriel: He was outstanding in the air, both from corners and in open play. I think his attacking returns could start coming soon, so he’s definitely worth considering.
Barry: A very poor performance. He missed a big chance and contributed very little to most of Everton’s attacks.
Hall: I expected more from Hall. He wasn’t as influential as he should have been and rarely got into the box. Other midfielders looked much more dangerous than him.
Final Thoughts
Arsenal were the better team, but I’m not interested in bringing in any of their attacking assets. If Calafiori’s injury keeps him out for an extended period, I might consider replacing him with Gabriel.
As for Everton, bringing in one of their defenders could be worth considering. Hall might also be an option.
Coventry Vs Fulham
It wasn’t the most exciting game, with neither side particularly impressive. However, Fulham were clearly the better team when it came to creating chances.
Garcia: A disappointing performance with no chances created and no shots on target. He’ll be a definite sell for me.
King: He was unlucky not to score, registering the most shots in the game (4), with one effort hitting the post. I’d probably sell him as well, although keeping him is still a reasonable option.
Bobb: As I’ve mentioned in previous weeks, Bobb is a quality player. He created the most chances in the game (4) and scored a fantastic goal.
Rudoni: He created 3 chances and made some good forward runs. He’s not an FPL option, but he’s certainly not a bad player.
Final Thoughts
I’d stay away from both teams, Fulham and Coventry. Neither side offers an FPL option that I’m particularly interested in right now. That’s all.
Chelsea Vs Tottenham
Chelsea weren’t as bad as the stats might suggest. They created some good chances, but Kinsky put in an excellent performance and kept them out.
Palmer: It’s difficult to call it a good performance when your team has a player sent off, but Palmer still managed 2 good shots and created 2 chances. There were some positive signs despite the circumstances.
Rogers: A really poor performance. He managed just 1 shot, created 1 chance and picked up a yellow card. A disappointing display from Rogers.
Neto: Chelsea’s best player in my opinion. He was involved in most of their attacks and was incredibly unlucky not to get a return. He had opportunities to both score and assist, but Kinsky saved everything.
Marmoush: He had the most shots in the game (3), including a very good effort that was saved. However, he’s still not an FPL option for me.
Tel: An excellent performance, with 11 touches in the opposition box, the most dribbles in the game (4) and a goal. Unfortunately, his minutes aren’t guaranteed, which makes him difficult to rely on.
Final Thoughts
Chelsea failed to make the most of their chances. Pedro’s absence is having a significant impact on the team, although I think they’ll eventually find a way to cope without him. I’d like to bring in Neto, but I’m still not fully convinced.
As for Tottenham, they’ve improved considerably, but there’s still no obvious FPL option for me — unless it’s Kudus.
Crystal palace vs Newcastle
Crystal Palace had the better stats overall, but Newcastle created the higher-quality chances throughout the game.
Mateta: He missed 3 big chances worth a combined 1.03 xG. Had he taken his opportunities, Palace could have scored at least once.
Pino: He created the most chances in the game (4) and was genuinely dangerous in Palace’s attacks. However, Crystal Palace aren’t a team I’d look to bring FPL assets from.
Disasi: He recorded the most DEFCON points in the game (17). On top of that, 4 shots from a centre-back is a very impressive number.
Barnes: He had the most shots in the game (5), although 4 of them were off target. Regardless, I thought he put in a good performance.
Hall: An average performance without any real attacking threat. He didn’t take a shot or create any particularly dangerous chances. He offered little more than a centre-back in this game.
Murphy: He created the most chances in the game (4) without taking a single shot. He’s been a quality player in previous seasons, but his minutes remain uncertain.
Final Thoughts
I’m not bringing in anyone from Crystal Palace. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly defensive option, Disasi is a good choice. Otherwise, Hall is worth considering. For an attacking asset, Barnes is your best option.
Hull city vs Brentford
Both teams put in a good performance and could have scored more goals, but neither side made the most of their chances.
Belloumi: He had the most shots in the game (4) and the most touches in the opposition box (9). He had several opportunities to get a return but was unlucky not to score.
Egan: He had a header ruled out, but he remains my favourite Hull City defender. He also picked up 10 DEFCON points.
Kayode: He created the most chances in the game (4), earned DEFCON points and made some excellent forward runs. Although he didn’t take a shot, I thought he put in a good performance.
Schade: He created no chances and managed just one shot, which was blocked. His minutes aren’t guaranteed, and his current form isn’t particularly impressive either.
Thiago: He had one awful shot and created just one chance, which looked more like an attempted shot than a genuine chance. He’s still not an option I’m considering for my forward line.
Ouattara: He had the most shots in the game (4) and created 3 chances. However, his minutes aren’t guaranteed, making him difficult to rely on.
Final Thoughts
I’m not bringing in any Brentford or Hull City players for now. The only player I own is Egan, and that’s purely to save money.
Liverpool vs Brighton
What a game! It was incredibly fast-paced, with plenty of chances at both ends. Both teams pressed aggressively, and I genuinely enjoyed watching this one.
Isak: As I’ve said before, Isak can score from difficult chances, and that was clear again today. He had 3 shots and made some excellent runs into dangerous positions. Perhaps he’s the best replacement for João Pedro.
Wirtz: He’s still focused on creating chances rather than scoring. His goal was fortunate, and he created 2 chances. He’s not my first-choice Liverpool asset.
Gakpo: He was incredibly unlucky, registering the most shots in the game (6) and getting involved in quick counter-attacks. If I want a Liverpool midfielder, Gakpo is my choice.
Barcola: Apart from his assist for Isak, he didn’t do much else and had little impact on the game. The underlying numbers support that, too.
Gross: A good performance, creating the most chances in the game (4). He should have had at least one assist, but his teammates failed to convert their opportunities.
De Cuyper: He was more attacking than in previous games, with 3 chances created and 2 shots. He might have returned if Liverpool hadn’t defended so well.
Kostoulas: He had 4 shots and put in a decent performance. In my opinion, Liverpool’s excellent defending was the only reason he didn’t get a return.
Final Thoughts
I’d be happy to have Isak in my team, and he’s my first choice. If you need to save money, go for Gakpo instead.
As for Brighton, I actually think they were even better than Liverpool in attack. Liverpool’s defence was excellent, but against City, I think Brighton could put in an even better attacking performance.
Manchester united vs Bournemouth
A laughable performance from Man Utd. Their defensive line was absolutely dreadful, and Bournemouth took full advantage of their weaknesses.
Mbeumo: He had 2 shots, one of which was a really good effort that forced a save. He also created 2 chances, but neither led to anything meaningful.
Cunha: He played just 45 minutes but managed a good header that forced a save. There wasn’t much else to take from his performance.
Mount: He created the most chances among Man Utd players (3), but was barely involved in the game. Despite the numbers, it wasn’t an impressive performance.
Tavernier: He also created 3 chances, the joint-most in the game. He regularly gets into dangerous positions inside the box, and that eventually paid off with a goal.
Evanilson: He scored twice, although one of his goals was ruled out for offside. He had 4 shots, with all but his goal going off target. Much of Bournemouth’s attacking success came from Man Utd’s defensive weaknesses.
Rayan: He had the most shots in the game (5) and the most touches in the opposition box (8). He made constant attacking runs and was extremely dangerous. He could easily have scored even more points.
Kluivert: He didn’t take a shot but created 3 chances, one of which resulted in an assist. However, his minutes don’t look particularly secure.
Final Thoughts
I wouldn’t recommend any Man Utd assets. Their defensive performance was simply not good enough.
For Bournemouth, Tavernier is my first choice. If you’re looking for a differential, Rayan is the best option.
Sunderland vs Leeds
It was a very boring game to watch, but Sunderland had much more possession and looked far more dangerous going forward.
Brobbey: He had a few good chances but failed to convert them. Still, he was getting into the right positions. Whether he’ll start delivering attacking returns in the future remains a big question.
Le Fée: He created the most chances in the game (4) and was very active around the edge of the box. However, there was no attacking return to show for his efforts.
Angulo: He had the most shots in the game (3) and made some excellent runs during counter-attacks. Despite that, he’s still not an FPL option for me.
Calvert-Lewin: He played 85 minutes without taking a single shot or creating a chance, and also picked up a yellow card. An unbelievable performance from Calvert-Lewin!
Bogle: He had the most dribbles in the game (4), along with 2 shots and 1 chance created. A decent overall performance.
Muharemovic: He had one header that was saved, but offered very little else going forward.
Final Thoughts
Sunderland looked more dangerous overall, but I still wouldn’t rush to bring in any of their players. From Leeds, Bogle showed some positive signs, while Calvert-Lewin delivered another frustrating performance.
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