During a whirlwind weekend of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) announcements, a bunch of friendlies were taking place.
Among them, games involving Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Sunderland.
Weak opponents and line-ups will therefore make these notes brief, with more notable lessons to come as Gameweek 1 approaches.
Nevertheless, we’ll take a look at the key FPL talking points from those three kickabouts.
You can read some more takeaways from the other friendlies below:
- FPL pre-season: How Spurs + Kudus looked in Frank’s first match
- FPL pre-season: Cunha + Elanga debuts, Isak absence explained
Fulham 4-1 Aberdeen
- Goals: Harry Wilson (pen), Harry Wilson, Rodrigo Muniz, Josh King
- Assists: Timothy Castagne, Alex Iwobi, Harrison Reed, Martial Godo
Very little is known about this behind-closed-doors encounter held at Fulham’s training ground, though it’s come out that 21 Cottagers featured in their comfortable 4-1 win.
Scottish Cup winners Aberdeen actually took an early lead through Kusini Yengi, but Harry Wilson‘s brace turned things around by half-time.
Firstly, Wilson scored a penalty after Timothy Castagne was fouled, then his second was set up by Alex Iwobi.
Regular penalty taker Raul Jimenez wasn’t on the pitch as Wilson scored from 12 yards but one-time challenger for spot-kick duties, Andreas Pereira, was.
After the break, centre-forward Rodrigo Muniz headed home a corner, before Josh King made it four. Not the former Bournemouth man, rather an 18-year-old academy player who made eight top-flight appearances last season.
It’s been an extremely quiet summer for Fulham so far. Their opening run versus Brighton and Hove Albion, Manchester United and Chelsea could have appeal; it just requires somebody to stand out. Maybe it’ll be Wilson or Muniz.
Fulham XI: Leno; Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Esenga; Berge, Lukic; Iwobi, Andreas, Traore; Wilson
Subs: Benda, Borto, Amissah, Andersen, Cuenca, Robinson, Sessegnon, Tete, Cairney, King, Reed, Smith Rowe, Godo, Raul, Muniz, Harris
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Monaco
Next up for Fulham is their meeting with Nottingham Forest in Portugal, a side fresh from their goalless draw on a rainy afternoon in Chesterfield.
Monaco dominated and Matz Sels and half-time replacement Carlos Miguel were regularly called into action but, in the end, it was another clean sheet for a strong backline that kept 13 of them last time.
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In fact, had the brand-new defensive contribution points been introduced for 2024/25, Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo would’ve ended the campaign as FPL’s two best defenders. Both participated in the second half.
Probably the biggest headline is that Morgan Gibbs-White played 45 minutes. His potential move to Tottenham Hotspur is getting messy but, in the meantime, an early headed attempt tested the Monaco goalkeeper.
Nott‘m Forest XI first-half: Sels; Aina, Abbott, Morato, Carmo; Sangaré, Yates; Jota, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
Nott’m Forest XI second-half: Miguel; Boly, Milenkovic, Murillo, Richards; Stamenic, O’Brien; Sinclair, Whitehall, Taylor; Awoniyi
Sunderland 1-1 Sevilla
- Goal: Enzo Le Fee
Already in Portugal, Enzo Le Fee pounced upon a defensive error to round the goalkeeper and put Sunderland one up.
The Mackems could’ve been further ahead before Sevilla’s late equaliser, as another mistake led to Simon Adingra curling a shot wide. Based on how their successful playoff matches unfolded, is there something about the playing style that keeps forcing opponents into making howlers?
Right-back Trai Hume recorded a shot on target, with all outfielders changed at half-time.
There was no appearance at all from regular goalkeeper Anthony Patterson but perhaps he’ll be involved in Monday’s friendly with Sporting instead.
Unfortunately, it’s been revealed that Romaine Mundle has undergone hamstring surgery and will be a long-term absentee.
He joins the likes of Dennis Cirkin and Luke O’Nien on the injury list.
Sunderland XI first-half: Moore; Hume, Ballard, Seelt, Huggins; Sadiki, Le Fee, Diarra; Adingra, Talbi, Mayenda
Sunderland XI second-half: Moore; J Jones, Lavery, Johnson, H Jones; Roberts, Neil, Browne, Aleksic; Isidor, Abdullahi
