The Goal Decision System played its part in Brighton confirming their Premier League status and in giving those Fantasy managers who had kept faith in their assets one late push.
Pascal Gross headed the Seagull’s winner in Friday night’s Gameweek opener, getting on the end of a Jose Izquierdo cross into the box which David De Gea failed to clear.
Millimetres decided the goal but it was enough to seal a deserved three points for Chris Hughton’s men.
It gave Gross his second goal in three Gameweeks and his seventh of a hugely successful campaign which has seen him claim eight assists, 24 bonus points and Brighton’s Player of the Year award.
He has been involved – scored or assisted – 46% of Brighton’s goals this season when on the pitch, and 54% at the Amex Stadium.
Gross also now sits second only to Mohamed Salah for Fantasy Premier League points per million (ppm) value among midfielders (27.3 vs 27.7).
Indeed, the German remains Brighton’s most popular asset as part of 15.6% of squads though he has lost over 40,000 in ownership over the past two Gameweeks off the back of a relatively dry spell of seven matches between Gameweeks 27 to 34 which provided just two assists.
Those who sat tight benefited from this late reward and will now take Gross into matches at Man City in midweek and a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on the final day.
Ryan Delivers For Bench Boosters
Hughton’s defence also produced a second consecutive clean sheet having previously gone 13 Gameweeks without a defensive return.
It meant that goalkeeper Mat Ryan added to his 10-point return at Burnley in Gameweek 35 with another eight from Friday’s win.
Part of 202,000 squads, the Australian was benched by 70% of those owners for Gameweek 35; that figure stood at 68% for last night’s encounter. However, managers with the Bench Boost active will have received an early dividend.
Ryan is now ranked top for ppm across the four positions with 30.9.
Similarly, cut-price centre-backs Lewis Dunk – owned by 2.9% – and Shane Duffy – by 3.0% – also delivered for a second successive Gameweek.
Pogba investment falls flat
Man United were abject for all but the final ten minutes of Friday’s clash.
Paul Pogba’s late surge in transfer interest went unrewarded as his 140,000 new owners sat back to witness another of his frustrating and ineffective displays. He fired five shots on goal, though four arrived from outside the box with just one effort hitting the target.
Up front, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial were given opportunities to impress in the absence of the injured Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez. They failed to make an impact.
Indeed, post-match, Jose Mourinho gave this damning appraisal of their performance…
“The players that replaced others didn’t perform at a good level, and when individuals don’t perform at a good level, it’s difficult for the team to perform at a good level. Maybe now you understand why some players play more than others and you don’t ask why A, B or C don’t play more.”
“For some of them, the possibility to start the game, the possibility to give reason to the ones that during the season are always critical towards my choices – why always Lukaku, why always Lukaku, why always Lukaku. Now you have the answer why always Lukaku. Why always this? Why always that? You have the answer.”
Jesse Lingard was also absent from the starting line-up at the Amex Stadium, though he was introduced from the bench to help inspire a late rally. Lingard had two opportunities in his 22-minute appearance and must now surely start, perhaps along with a fit-again Sanchez, against West Ham on Thursday.
In defence, United were denied the clean sheet by Gross’ header and have now kept just two from their last ten Gameweeks.
Chris Smalling was the most popular defensive signing prior to Friday’s deadline, claiming another 133,000+ owners. He has papered over those recent cracks with three goals in his last eight starts but failed to deliver for his 679,000+ owners last night, as did De Gea in goal; he is owned by 2.6 million.
It was Marcos Rojo who took his turn at centre-back alongside Smalling, while Matteo Darmian also came into a back four at right-back with Antonio Valencia rested.
