

GW12 recap
GW12 saw the much-anticipated return of Manchester United's Paul Pogba, who defied pre-match scepticism regarding his involvement against Newcastle to start, score and grab an assist. Romelu Lukaku also ended his four-game barren run in the league by scoring United's fourth, but Phil Jones failed to shake off his hamstring injury and Dwight Gayle crushed David De Gea and Antonio Valencia owners' clean sheet hopes by scoring the first goal at Old Trafford this season.Liverpool, for the first league game this season, started with Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, and a comfortable 3-0 win against Southampton showcased returns for all but Mane. Salah became the Premier League's top goalscorer with a brace - he is as essential as it gets - but the other three also yield consideration as lower ownership variables.Pogba back and scoring for @ManUtd☑️ Zlatan back for first time this season☑️ Lukaku back in the goals☑️ Successful winning night for United☑️ pic.twitter.com/0WuiRZpNaB
— ★ #TeamOfTheYear ★ (@ChampionsLeague) November 18, 2017
There were also comfortable wins for Man City and Chelsea, with Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne both in majestic form. But Spurs' phlegmatic performance against Arsenal was concerning: Harry Kane lacked his usual edge, and the absence of Toby Alderweireld exposed weakness at the back. Spurs have lost their allure following a strong start, and their assets aren't returning rewards their costs justify.Mohamed Salah has 14 goals in 18 apps in all competitions, already matching the total of last season's top scorer for Liverpool (Philippe Coutinho who scored 14 in 36 apps) #LFC #PL pic.twitter.com/0ibyWwN5cw
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) November 18, 2017
Essentials collection
Paul Pogba Jose Mourinho said at the weekend that he was monitoring Pogba's minutes, inferring a full 90 is a way away, but as long as Pogba is on the pitch, United are quite simply a much better team.The Red Devils have scored 16 goals in the five league games Pogba's played this season. And while GW13 opponents Brighton are wily with an experienced manager, it's time to grasp tight of Pogba's coattails before his price soars again. Eden Hazard You wouldn't like him angry. Gareth Barry's first-half tackle on Eden Hazard, not awarded as a foul, awoke the Belgian's dark side as he poleaxed West Brom's defence with two goals and an assist. His form has been improving for a number of weeks now, and less than 6% own him. After Liverpool this week, the Blues have a straightforward run of games against teams outside the top six. Kevin De Bruyne Remember the first three weeks of the season where many (myself included) dismissed Kevin Deep Bruyne? I'm still wiping away bits of egg off my eyebrow. The Belgian is now the fifth highest-scoring FPL player, collecting three goals and six assists since. He's a guaranteed starter and capable of sublime moments of jaw-dropping brilliance. And City's next three fixtures - Huddersfield (A), Southampton (H) and West Ham (H) - are unlikely to pose too many problems.Man Utd without Pogba in the PL this season: 7 chances per game.
Man Utd with Pogba in the PL this season: 14.4 chances per game.https://t.co/26iwwtxWyb — Planet Football (@planetfutebol) November 20, 2017
Richarlison If you don't yet own Richarlison, stop it. Stop being stubborn. At £6.5m, the Brazilian "midfielder" playing as a striker is riding a Josh King-esque hot streak, and broke his Vicarage Road duck against West Ham to assuage owners of his potential impact both home and away. Watford face Man Utd and Spurs in their next three, but this shouldn't faze Richarlison, who has already notched attacking returns against Arsenal and Chelsea this season.Kevin De Bruyne for @ManCity in the @PremierLeague:
🔵 Games: 76 ⚽️ Goals: 16 🎯 Assists: 34 ✅ Quickest time taken for any midfielder to contribute to 50 Goals....in PL history. 😳🔥👏 pic.twitter.com/RhhRgSc0eE — SPORF (@Sporf) November 18, 2017
Richarlison: Only Raheem Sterling (84) has had more touches in the opposition's penalty area than Richarlison (82) in the Premier League this season pic.twitter.com/TfsJSvv9OW
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) November 19, 2017
Risk factors
Harry Kane Kane didn't appear to be fully fit against Arsenal. He was a step off the pace, although his service was admittedly limited, and he has now blanked in 8 of 12 league games this season. Moreover, Spurs have consistently struggled against so-called lesser teams arriving at Wembley and shutting up shop, which is precisely what West Brom will be expected to do. Kane hasn't scored in three and, simply, there are more in-form strikers (Morata, Jesus) worthy of your funds.Jamie Vardy Five goals in his first six, but just one since, Jamie Vardy is bang out of luck in front of goal. But Leicester's GW13 opponents West Ham looked reliably shaky in defence at Watford, with David Moyes yet to exert any discernible influence. It's hard to back against any team scoring against the Hammers, and long-suffering Vardy owners may want to wait a week to see if he can add to the Londoners' woes. Aaron Ramsey In previous weeks Ramsey has had no qualms abandoning any defensive responsibility in favour of marauding runs to support Arsenal's forward line, but he was more disciplined against Spurs, and that concerns me. Instead, Özil, Lacazette and Sanchez valiantly led the line, with Ramsey periodically joining attacks, and I suspect against Burnley he will be asked to yield similar vigilance. Given the emergence of Gross, Choupo-Moting and Richarlison, Ramsey's value as a budget midfielder is still strong, but lessening compared to his rivals. Follow Jack for more FPL insight... Follow @JWoodfield365If I'm not mistaken, by 19 November 2016 Harry Kane had scored 5 league goals.
This season he has 8 so far, which is definitely food for thought if you're a frustrated owner #FPL — WINGBACK (@FPLWingBack) November 19, 2017