The season’s second weekend was headlined by promoted duo Teemu Pukki (£6.8m) and John Lundstram (£4.1m), as Kevin de Bruyne (£9.6m) and Sadio Mane (£11.5m) outshone their more expensive midfield teammates. Pukki added to his opening day Anfield consolation by scoring a stunning 17 points with a hat-trick against Newcastle, whilst the out-of-position Lundstram added to his increasing popularity by not only playing against Crystal Palace but scoring the winner to bring in 14 points.



VAR ruled out a late Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) winner for Man City as they became the first of last season’s top two to blink, dropping points in a 2-2 draw with Spurs. Meanwhile, a howler from stand-in goalkeeper Adrian (£4.5m) made Liverpool’s win over Southampton more difficult. They’ll hope for a more comfortable time during Gameweek 3’s headline fixture versus Arsenal.

GAMEWEEK 3 FIXTURES

Friday 23rd August

Aston Villa v Everton (20:00)

Saturday 24th August

Norwich v Chelsea (12:30)

Brighton v Southampton (15:00)

Man Utd v Crystal Palace (15:00)

Sheffield Utd v Leicester (15:00)

Watford v West Ham (15:00)

Liverpool v Arsenal (17:30)

Sunday 25th August

Bournemouth v Man City (14:00)

Spurs v Newcastle (16:30)

Wolves v Burnley (16:30)

SON SET FOR RETURN

Lucas Moura (£7.5m) owners knew all along that he’d likely be a short-term pick, with Son Heung-min (£9.5m) suspended for the first two games. To then see him benched at Man City must have hurt, yet the Brazilian came onto the field to equalise just 19 seconds later. Ahead of an enticing home game against Newcastle, there is now uncertainty as to whether Son will immediately return to the starting line-up, with competition enhanced by the signing of Giovani Lo Celso (£7.5m).

For those without Harry Kane (£11.0m), it will be difficult to find Spurs coverage for such a great run of fixtures. The next seven also sees them face Crystal Palace (H), Southampton (H), Brighton (a) and Watford (H), whilst the trip to Arsenal could easily see a repeat of last year’s six goals. Whether it’s Son, Lucas Moura, Christian Eriksen (£8.9m), Dele Alli (£8.4m) or Erik Lamela (£6.0m), Spurs are expected to deliver the goods.

VAR VERSUS MAN CITY

Despite dropping two points on Saturday evening, Man City will still be encouraged by their start to the season. The 5-0 opening day thrashing of West Ham was relentless and was followed by 30 shots against Spurs, with Raheem Sterling (£12.2m) already amassing four goals and De Bruyne conjuring up three assists. The Belgian is a delight to watch and it’s thrilling to see him seemingly recover from last season’s injury woes by returning to top form. He’s a cheaper option to Sterling but perhaps it’s worth trying to engineer a lop-sided midfield that contains both.