Games

Yusuf Sheikh wins FPL Crown

Yusuf Sheikh has claimed the Fantasy Premier League crown in the closest and most dramatic title race in memory.

The Tanzanian manager sealed his unlikely victory by six points from Fantasy Football Scout member Paul Gee, with long-time leader Bharat Dhody third.

Yusuf was ranked sixth before Sunday, some 33 points behind Bharat at the top.

As such, we had not included him in our earlier round-up of the top five contenders.

And when Marcos Alonso, Dele Alli and Gabriel Jesus were unexpectedly benched, he must have all but written off his chances of challenging for the crown.

But Yusuf’s final day performance was nothing short of remarkable from start to finish.

His final tally of 93 points was some 23 ahead of Paul in second and, incredibly, surpassed Bharat’s Gameweek total by 41.

A Triple Captain chip undoubtedly played a key role in his late surge as he was the only manager in the top ten to still have a chip remaining.

However, Yusuf’s decision to use this on Mohamed Salah had, initially, looked unwise, given that six other managers in the top ten also captained the Egyptian.

They included both Bharat and Paul.

So while Salah helped Yusuf to a 11-point advantage over that pair, the midfielder was by no means the key player in Sunday’s matches.

It was his differentials who really delivered.

That started with Marcus Rashford, who struck an early goal to hand Yusuf an initial boost. No other manager in the top ten owned the Man United striker.

Salah’s goal was then followed by an assist to help Yusuf gain a further edge via his Triple Captain. However, it was surely Lukasz Fabianski’s penalty save at the Liberty Stadium, just a minute later, that catapulted him into contention.

At that point Paul Gee had established a lead, thanks to clean sheets from Burnley pair Matt Lowton and James Tarkowski.

A goal from Wilfried Zaha – a Gameweek 38 signing for Aaron Ramsey – then re-ignited Yusuf’s charge, before the Clarets conceded at Turf Moor to topple Paul from the summit.

With Fabianski, Rashford and Zaha furthering their role as differentials with bonus points, Yusuf also benefited from DeAndre Yedlin’s clean sheet from his bench as both Alonso and Ben Davies failed to be given minutes.

That ensured victory over Paul by just eight points once the bonus points were confirmed.

With 73 points on the day, the runner-up can count himself unfortunate to miss out when Burnley’s clean sheet points were cruelly lost in the closing stages.

Paul’s decision to sell Alli for Salah proved a canny move, but it was ultimately not enough to fire him to the title, having started Sunday 20 points off the pace.

Meanwhile Bharat – who had led the way since Gameweek 21 – suffered an early blow when the teamsheets were revealed.

He was missing seven players, either with injuries or through being benched.

His decision to sell Mahrez, and not Alli, for Salah might also haunt him. The Algerian’s 13 points would have seen him tied at the top, though total transfers (43 v 41) would have eventually settled it in Yusuf’s favour regardless.

And nobody can deny the new champion his glory.

To produce 93 points on the final day – some 23 more than any other rival in the top ten – is a remarkable achievement, and one deserving of winning the FPL crown.

Congratulations to Yusuf on his win, and to all the challengers who helped to produce such a memorable day.

We hope to have further reaction, including interviews with the top managers, over the next few days.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

1,446 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Go Tiger

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      The Webb man is choking a bit

    2. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Cheers Man number 12

  2. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Open top bus parade in Tanzania tonight...

    1. Sánchez
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Probably be reported on their news and stuff like a proper celebrity

      1. Yozzer
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Golden statue of him in the capital's centre

        1. Sánchez
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Rename the capital Yusuf Ukingood in his honour

  3. Captain Blanks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    What happens when you forget to play your TC til gw 38...
    https://gyazo.com/114781bc15cba148877b6abfadd90df8

    Best ever gw38 score and best ever single gw rank (i think) 🙂

  4. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Must admit slightly disappointed to drop to 25k from 17.9k, but with all four autosubs in play one of which was VDH on 0 and Maguire scoring 0, they're wasn't much more I could have done having captained Salah with one FT.

    Still after three six-figure seasons its good to be back somewhere decent and this is my 7th top 30k finish. Nailed several mini -league's too. So all good. 🙂

  5. Desperately Seeking Dusan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Conclusion - he was lucky.

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      You’ve earned enough twat points for one day already

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Think you're think of a different Tadic themed user?

        1. asquishypotato
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Those were (not) the days

    2. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Lucky for 38 weeks

    3. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Have you found Dusan

  6. Random Name
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    The heated debate over the best 10.0-10.5 striker this season is over.

    Lacazette: 138 points
    Jesus: 126 points
    Morata: 122 points

    I rest my case. 🙂 See ya'll next season

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      See you in a few minutes.

      1. Random Name
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        If fpl 18/19 opens up in a few mins then yeah

        1. Team Cruel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          You just proved his point.

        2. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          There you are - a few mins later!

          1. Random Name
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            It's a reply so doesn't count

            1. asquishypotato
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              What about this one?

              1. Random Name
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 10 months ago

                Still doesn't

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Abamoyang

    3. shirtless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      When you compare to Gross's points for 5.5m...

    4. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Vardy is laughing at you

      1. Random Name
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Why?

        A) I said 10.0-10.5

        B) The lad's on my team

      2. Sánchez
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        And Firmino

    5. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Were you not singing to the hills for Kola too?

  7. T444
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    14 points off the bench to win the mini league after being behind the leader for the whole season. It's the little things!

  8. Fantasy Gold
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Yusuf had a Sheikhy start with the team news but prevailed in the end 🙂

    1. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Mr Dagger will be having words with you.......

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Who? Why? 🙂

        1. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          😉

          1. Sánchez
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            😆

  9. Twelve years a slave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Well done Yusuf and good to see he did not follow the scout herd with his chip usage. Was rewarded for his patience with the triple capt chip

    1. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Not sure about using it final day. But what do I know, my last 3 seasons have yielded 12 points from 3 players pre chip, so maybe the day with the most goals is a good one to do...

    2. Toby Lerone
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Who could have predicted the car crash that was 37 though?

  10. UKG
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    So I finished exactly 100 points off my finish from last year. OR = 46K.

    Last years OR was 3k, such a big difference.

  11. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Unbelievable.

    Third in my three man family mini league since GW1...relentlessly last...and then BOOM...103 points today and won it...

    Crikey.

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Great stuff Wakey

      Fantastic final day score

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Bench boost. I cocked up last week and missed the deadline to play it. Glad I did now.

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Great job Cannonball!

    3. ONSIDE 9
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Any chance of a link? Profile team isn't yours and I know you like to make lots of transfers. Interested to see how they worked out for you.

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        I'll try. Shocking season. I only finished 400k...worst ever by a very very long way.

  12. melvinmbabazi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Well done Yusuf Sheikh and happy that ur representing East Africa 🙂

  13. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Finished inside the top 6k
    Highest position during the season was 3911...lowest 619,400

    Last few weeks were rubbish but a score of 89 points got me back within the top 10k.

  14. fantasykid
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    The FPL Cup ended in a tie! 78 points each! 'Most goals scored in the Gameweek' was the deciding factor. That was tight. So, the league and the Cup had a blockbuster finish to the season. Congrats to the league and cup winners.

  15. tricky80
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Don't think I've ever known such a helter skelter GW.

    Half hour in, my team is helping me overhaul my ML rival's 14 point lead and advantage in players playing.

    Then a ten minute spell in the second half when give or six score updates go against me and I end up losing by nearly 40.

    The agony and the ecstasy... Or better the other way round!

  16. Fergietime
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Climbed over 6k places today to a final rank of 5,612. My highest ranking by far. The irony is I didnt take Fantasy as serious as I did last year, I didn't even use my 2nd wildcard :O

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Casual 🙂

  17. Super Silva Haze
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    After all that headache. I ended up 55k. Not bad not great. Roll on next season. What did you guys finish on?

  18. UshFPL
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    275k OR. Could have been worse since I was 1.4m at Christmas but could have been better seeing as I was almost in the top 200k 2 weeks ago

  19. willl
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Finished 13k in the end.

    Was hoping to get top 10k but still my highest rank yet.

    Cheers everyone, onto the WC now 😉 .

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      How's the wildcard looking then?

      1. willl
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        That would be telling, got a few tricks up my sleeve.

    1. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      As if you've had that bookmarked for 10 months.

      Lol fair play lad

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Actually, I was flicking through the pages looking for evidence of you saying Lacazette was a better option than Vardy and Firmino 😉

        1. Random Name
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          hahahaha

          There will be countless i can assure you of that

    2. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Professional FPL manager

    3. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      What happened to this guy anyway.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Apparently he gives up halfway through every season. His profile says "I miss you all :(", so maybe he's kept from the site when driving for half the year

      2. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Changed his name to Deulofail.

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Then why is his name TheBusDriver? 🙂

          1. Rainer
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            😉

    4. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Thank fook that troll isn't around anymore

    5. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Haha Reyt lad the Busdriver.

      His rants are hilarious

  20. -GK22-
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Typical, managed my worst finish in 6 years in 105k. Overthought wildcard and transfer policy

    Helped manage my sisters work league team to a 9k finish and a sizeable prize fund with light touch tactics!!

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Personally I could never see the fun i managing two different teams.

  21. Cash'nBurn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Can’t remember a more difficult final month to a season.

    Was threatening 10k and ended up just inside 25k - 2nd worst finish in nine seasons.

    No way to look forward to a fantasy-free World Cup.

    Who do you want to fill the final promotion spot?

    Fulham would make a welcome change, seems to have been a while since they were in the PL.

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Villa

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Not Boro.

    3. Andy'81
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Not a big fan of the owner at Fulham with his Jacksonville Jags connections/Wembley bid so I'd pass on them, I'll take Derby, looking forward to the second legs of both games though, the playoffs are my favorite football time of year.

    4. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Fulham probably offer more fpl wise?

    5. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Not Pulis though. Hoping we got rid of that clown from the prem

  22. Fuchs Mane Kante
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Hope Yusuf can deal with the glamour, fame and fortune.

    Beware of the FPL devil coach and refrain from selling thy soul.

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      And beware of FFS stealing his contact details so they can get in touch with him for an interview.

      1. Fuchs Mane Kante
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Tanzania is not in the Eu so it should be fine.

      2. Yozzer
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        He should charge . If I won fpl after watching folks who have achieved less make careers out of it i'd be charging everyone

        1. Yozzer
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Ben Crellin for one lol. Although it's not a career now I bet it will be. spreadsheet's are falling on my head

    2. Sánchez
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      This is where he'll have to ask himself "is she only going out with me because I won fpl?" whenever he meets a new woman.

      Or, if he already has a woman, this is where he upgrades her now, obviously

      1. Fuchs Mane Kante
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Prenuptual agreements in any future relationships from now on.

        1. Sánchez
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Definitely. Gold diggers will come out of the woodwork every day now

  23. PvA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Horrible start to the season with a 3m OR in GW8

    Up to 200k

    I'll take it

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Its over mate. Relax now.

      1. PvA
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        I was relaxed all season

  24. tricky80
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    FFScout team... Thanks again for the marvellous work. Great site!

    I've definitely overthought my way down to an OR of 44k... maybe you should do profiling of players:

    Casuals
    Risk takers
    Dullards
    Nostalgists
    Strategisers
    Crowd followers, etc. etc.

    1. Fuchs Mane Kante
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      You forgot Jedi.

  25. Numb
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Finished 11k - my worst finish since my first season in 2009/10 🙁

    So glad for this season to be over.

    1. Tazah
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      The difference in our two comments hahaha

    2. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      One man's trash is another man's treasure.

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Good finish by you though after a torrid time recently.

        1. Hibbo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          I always feel the magic in GW38.

          A bit like you I'm glad to be finished up but I'm happy with the season overall.

          We go again next year.

    3. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      You finished outside the top 10K with bums like me and Mark.

      How demeaning.

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Ha ha, I know right. Just sad for my run to be over. 🙂

    4. PvA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Embarrassing

    5. Numb
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Consolation - I beat Mark by 1 point 😆

      1. Yozzer
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Mark not make top 10k this year?

        1. Yozzer
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          What a stupid question I've just asked

    6. Cash'nBurn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I’m happy just to be on HOF first page - you must be Top 20 or higher?

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah, hopefully

    7. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Still not a bad effort mate. Win any cash along the way?

  26. Tazah
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Quick thanks to the website and everyone with team news.... Went from 1.6mil to 400k since Jan, when I made an account. Thanks peeps been fun

    1. PvA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Nice

  27. Gnu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    So what's the verdict on season?

    A) Delighted
    B) Satisfied
    C) Meh
    D) Shoot me

    1. Sánchez
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      D

    2. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      D

    3. Speédy
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      D

      1. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        One mans D is another mans B guys.

    4. ItOnlyTook9Years
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      B

    5. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      B) despite the final day collapse

    6. Old Man Willow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      A!

      Didn't improve on last year's score but I came from 37 points behind today to win my work ML much to the massive annoyance of the guy who was in first place for the last 3 months.

      1. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Good work.

    7. Numb
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Definite C for me

      1. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Did you win that ML Numb?
        Remember, there is a right & wrong answer here 🙂

        1. Numb
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Nah, not even close - he smashed it, 1.4k OR. Sorry bout that!

          1. Gnu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            Nae worries, I'll need to add it to Epics winners paycheck.

    8. nicoTours
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      A.

      1. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Nice.

    9. shirtless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      B. Happy at 25k.

    10. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      From D to B in one freak of a gw

      1. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Whipped my ass after hearing constantly whinging. 😆

        1. Yozzer
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          I like a good moan mate. Just incase you haven't already noticed :Lol:

    11. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      C

  28. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Congrats Yusuf Sheikh!

  29. markymark
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Congratulations to Yusuf -well done on a fantastic achievement