FPL Gameweek 2 Review: Fixtures, Stats & Key Lessons
Gameweek 2 delivered plenty of drama and surprises for Fantasy Premier League managers, with unexpected results and standout performances reshaping our understanding of the season ahead. From Liverpool’s commanding victory to Manchester City’s stumble, here’s your comprehensive review of all the key fixtures, stats, and lessons learned.
Gameweek 2 Fixtures & Results
- Arsenal 2-0 Leicester City – Gunners bounce back with a clean sheet
- Brighton 2-1 Manchester United – Seagulls shock Old Trafford visitors
- Crystal Palace 0-2 West Ham – Hammers secure impressive away win
- Fulham 2-1 Leicester City – Cottagers claim crucial home victory
- Liverpool 2-0 Brentford – Reds maintain perfect start at Anfield
- Manchester City 1-1 Ipswich Town – Champions held by promoted side
- Southampton 0-1 Nottingham Forest – Saints suffer second defeat
- Tottenham 4-0 Everton – Spurs demolish Toffees in North London
- Wolves 1-2 Chelsea – Blues edge thriller at Molineux
- Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal – Villa Park stunned by clinical Gunners
Key FPL Statistics & Performance Data
Top Scorers:
- Son Heung-min (Tottenham) – 2 goals, 1 assist (18 points)
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – 1 goal, 2 assists (15 points)
- Cole Palmer (Chelsea) – 1 goal, 1 assist (12 points)
- Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal) – 2 goals (11 points)
- Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) – 1 goal, 1 assist (10 points)
Clean Sheet Heroes:
- Arsenal defenders (2 clean sheets from 2 games)
- Liverpool backline (Anfield fortress continues)
- West Ham defense (impressive away shutout)
- Tottenham defenders (dominant home display)
Captaincy Analysis:
- Erling Haaland blanks – only 2 points despite 67% captaincy
- Son Heung-min delivers for brave captainers – 36 points with armband
- Mohamed Salah reliable again – 30 points for patient managers
Standout Performers & Breakout Stars
Premium Picks Delivering:
- Son Heung-min (£10.0m) – Explosive performance with 2 goals and assist against Everton
- Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) – Continues excellent form with goal and 2 assists
- Cole Palmer (£10.5m) – Proving his worth with consistent returns
Budget Gems:
- Jhon Duran (Aston Villa, £5.5m) – Impressive substitute appearances
- Yoane Wissa (Brentford, £6.0m) – Consistent threat despite team struggles
- Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest, £6.5m) – Creative spark for Forest
Defensive Assets:
- Arsenal defenders – Double gameweek clean sheets make them essential
- Liverpool backline – Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold combining attacking returns with solidity
- Gabriel Magalhaes – Arsenal CB scoring and keeping clean sheets
Major Disappointments & Concerns
Premium Flops:
- Erling Haaland (£15.0m) – Held to just 2 points by Ipswich’s resolute defense
- Bruno Fernandes (£8.5m) – United’s struggles continue with poor showing at Brighton
- Alexander Isak (£8.5m) – Newcastle’s attacking issues persist
Team Concerns:
- Manchester United – Defensive frailties exposed again
- Leicester City – Double defeat raises relegation fears
- Everton – Thrashed 4-0, serious structural problems evident
Key Takeaways & Strategic Lessons
Essential Insights:
1. Arsenal’s Double Gameweek Dominance
- Two clean sheets from two games
- Multiple goal scorers across the squad
- Defensive assets now priority targets
- Consider triple Arsenal defense for upcoming fixtures
2. Manchester City Concerns
- Haaland held scoreless by Ipswich
- Defensive vulnerabilities emerging
- Rotation risks increasing with Champions League return
- Wait for easier fixtures before heavy investment
3. Tottenham’s Attacking Explosion
- Son Heung-min back to his devastating best
- Attacking potential under new system evident
- Home fixtures could be goldmines
- Consider Son over other premium midfielders
4. Liverpool’s Consistency
- Perfect defensive record continues
- Salah maintaining elite output
- Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold offering double threat
- Safe premium options for consistent returns
Transfer Recommendations:
Priority Targets:
- Arsenal defenders (Gabriel, White, Saliba)
- Son Heung-min (if funds available)
- Liverpool defensive assets
- Cole Palmer (excellent value at £10.5m)
Players to Avoid:
- Manchester United assets until improvement shown
- Leicester City players (relegation battle form)
- Everton attackers (lack of service evident)
Gameweek 3 Preparation:
Key Fixtures to Target:
- Arsenal vs Brighton (home advantage for Gunners)
- Liverpool vs Manchester United (potential for goals)
- Tottenham vs Newcastle (Son continuation play)
- Manchester City vs West Ham (Haaland bounce-back spot)
Summary
Gameweek 2 reinforced several key themes: Arsenal’s defensive solidity makes them essential FPL assets, Manchester City’s early struggles present both risks and opportunities, and Tottenham’s attacking potential under their new system could yield significant returns. The surprise results remind us that the Premier League remains unpredictable, making diversification and careful fixture analysis more important than ever.
With the international break approaching, now is the perfect time to assess your squad structure and plan those crucial early transfers. Focus on consistent performers over big names, and don’t be afraid to back form over reputation in these opening weeks.