Scout Notes – Gameweek 1 – Sunday

Romelu Lukaku is at the double on his league debut for Man United, while Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan offer able support from midfield. Meanwhile, Harry Kane spurns chances aplenty as Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen steer Spurs to victory at Newcastle.

Lukaku hits the ground running

Perhaps it was a visit from his favourite whipping boys West Ham that ensured a seamless start for Romelu Lukaku at Manchester United.

In a Gameweek where many big-hitters thrived up front, the Belgian didn’t let us down, bullying Slaven Bilic’s side again by scoring twice in a 4-0 rout at Old Trafford.

The most popular player in the game (48%), Lukaku was also the most captained (28%), while over 31,000 opted to play their triple captain on the summer signing.

Although United’s midfield did enough to suggest that they may yet provide us with more budget-friendly options, Lukaku’s immediate impact suggests that, if anything, his 48% ownership looks likely to grow ahead of clashes with Swansea, Leicester and Stoke in the next three.

However, there’s no doubt that the displays of Paul Pogba (goal) and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (two assists, already one more than he managed last season) indicate that United will be a different proposition from the side that scored just 26 times at home in 2016/17.

Indeed, with Nemanja Matic sitting in front of the back-four, Pogba, Mkhitaryan, Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford all registered 27 touches apiece in the final third in the roles behind Lukaku.

While Lukaku will remain the main man for now, Pogba and Mkhitaryan could soon force their way into consideration if Jose Mourinho’s men can build momentum over that kind schedule.

The wing-back system may be Jose’s Plan B

Having utilised a three-at-the-back for a handful of summer friendlies, Mourinho rolled out a 4-1-4-1 set-up against the Hammers.

This was a blow to the 7% owners of Antonio Valencia – impressive as a wing-back over pre-season, he reverted to a right-back berth today.

The most expensive United defensive option at 6.5, we were looking to Valencia as a source of attacking points but he managed just 15 touches in the final third to Daley Blind’s 30 on the opposite flank. Meanwhile, the Dutchman took seven of his side’s 11 corners.

Considering the nature of today’s display, Mourinho will surely be tempted to keep things as they are for Saturday’s trip to Swansea. While a right-back spot doesn’t rule Valencia out of our thoughts, it may force a reassessment of his appeal in the premium defender bracket after the likes of Marcos Alonso and Sead Kolasinac both impressed in the Gameweek.

Frustrated Kane fires a blank

Runner-up in our maiden Captain Poll and second most popular armband pick among FPL managers, Harry Kane left his owners deflated with a one-point return at Newcastle.

Yes, the Spurs frontman’s lack of August Premier League goals continued but this was far from the lacklustre display that saw him fail to register a single effort away to Everton in Gameweek 1 last season.

Six shots – with five inside the box – was top among forwards on both counts. Having struck the woodwork and also had an effort ruled out for offside, Kane could easily have bagged double-figures Fantasy returns on another day.

Granted, there’s no shortage of in-form premium frontmen to consider right now but back-to-back home clashes with Chelsea’s decimated defence and Burnley surely give Kane the chance to immediately atone for today’s blank.

We better get used to the Eriksen vs Alli debate

While Kane fluffed his lines on Tyneside, the Spurs midfield duo wasted no time in picking up the points.

Second only to Kevin De Bruyne for assists last season, Christian Eriksen already has two to his name after teeing up Deli Alli and Ben Davies. The Dane also boasted a considerable threat and fired six attempts on goal – more than any midfielder – on his way to claiming maximum bonus.

Yet Alli reminded us just why he’s the most popular midfielder in FPL by coolly slotting home the opener. Priced at 9.5 apiece, the Spurs midfield big-hitters were also identical for points per match (6.1) last time around – getting in one already seems a wise move.

Given their consistency, non-Kane owners may even consider acquiring both if they have viable options up top as armband alternatives.

Davies rewards early adopters

While his fellow left-back Danny Rose is itching for a way out of White Hart Lane, Davies is making headlines for all the right reasons.

Having scored in Gameweek 38 last season, the Welshman’s strike at St James’ Park means that he has netted in back-to-back league matches, with today’s clean sheet also reminding us of Tottenham’s resilience.

Although young right-back Kyle Walker-Peters offers a cheaper option at 4.5, he’s surely set to give way to Kieran Trippier once the latter gets over his ankle problem.

Coming in at 5.5, Davies is still less expensive than centre-backs Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld, yet only 3% of FPL managers have acquired him. Encouragingly, he also took four of his side’s seven corners.

Davies excelled despite being utilised as a left-back, rather than a wing-back, with the north London outfit lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation today.

Spurs welcomed back Son Heung-Min back from injury with an appearance off the bench and Mauricio Pochettino may well choose to retain the same system and unleash the South Korean from the off against Chelsea’s defence next weekend. On the other hand, he could turn to 3-4-2-1 if he doesn’t fancy Walker-Peters against the raids of Marcos Alonso down the Blues’ left.

Elliot may just stay on our benches

The Magpies were already without injured right-back DeAndre Yedlin then watched on as another two defenders, Paul Dummett and Florian Lejeune, limped off before the break.

Rafa Benitez will also have to reshuffle his double-pivot after Jonjo Shelvey’s dismissal for a stamp on Alli, with new loan arrival Mikel Merino (5.0) expected to deputise.

Today’s teamsheet at least confirmed that Rob Elliot is the only current active keeper at a cost of 4.0 in FPL. Owned by 17%, he was the second most benched player in the Gameweek, named as a sub by 673,648 FPL managers.

The fixtures may look favourable (hud WHU swa STO bri) but those problems at the back hardly look conducive to clean sheet returns and suggest that Elliot may well have to get used to FPL bench-warming duties.

Interest in Huddersfield’s Steve Mounie could now rise further ahead of next weekend’s home clash with the Magpies after the 6.0-priced striker netted twice away to Palace yesterday.