Now that the very first Gameweek is over, we can start to think about our plans moving forward for Gameweek 2 and beyond. So let’s take a look at the stand-out performers from Gameweek 1 and those that flattered to deceive.

Crystal Palace vs Arsenal

The opening match of the season saw Arsenal take on Crystal Palace looking for revenge after last season and they got it thanks to goals from Martinelli and a Guehi OG.

Zaha and Eze looked like their usual selves, threatening at times and ones to watch once Palace’s fixtures ease. Eze really should have scored his one-on-one with Ramsdale but it bodes well he got into that position in the first place.

Martinelli was the star of the show for the Gunners and should really have scored another. The well owned Jesus looked bright and was unlucky not to score before Martinelli’s scuffed rebound effort. I certainly wouldn’t be considering moving out Jesus even though he blanked.

Defensively, Arsenal looked solid and if Saliba continues to start, he’s incredible value at £4.5m. Zinchenko was outstanding and a great prospect at £5.1m if he continues to play even once Tierney is back. Ramsdale too looked solid and a good option for your solo playing goalkeeper.

Fulham vs Liverpool

A highly entertaining game and a great season-opener for Fulham. An outstanding performance from the team, spearheaded by Mitrovic, who absolutely bullied Trent Alexander Arnold and Virgil Van Dijk. Maybe this is finally the season he showed his quality in the Premier League?

Likewise, his team-mate and former United midfielder, Pereira, shone in midfield and his set piece delivery was very good. An absolute bargain for £4.5m, although we already knew that.

Salah did what he does a fair amount of time; fairly quiet for a chunk of the game but then suddenly turned up and got a goal and an assist. His attacking team-mate Diaz was bright at times but faded.

Nunez changed the game when he came on. When he’s fully match fit, he could be a very good option. Defensively, this wasn’t one of Liverpool’s strongest games and even the usual reliables of TAA and Robertson weren’t on their games. Unlikely that will continue though.

Bournemouth vs Aston Villa

Not the greatest of games to watch and the quality on show wasn’t exactly to the highest standards.

Tavernier was probably the main highlight for Bournemouth. Looked very bright and created three chances. Was on set pieces too. Will be one to watch.

Aston Villa were very poor. Nobody particularly stood out although Ings put in a shift and at least tried to trouble the goalkeeper at times. Bailey very poor also.

Surely they will improve but a team to perhaps ignore currently as their fixtures turn soon. If you’ve got Bailey, keep him but it would certainly be a case of don’t buy, don’t sell at the moment.

Leeds vs Wolves

A hugely entertaing game, one of the best on Saturday. As expected, Aaronsson was great to watch and will create chances for Bamford for fun. Rodrigo also looked bright and threatening.

Harrison created seven chances! At £6m, he could be a steal if he keeps that level of creativity up. Bamford could easily have had a goal to add to his assist.

Neto looked very dangerous and perhaps once he’s removed a little bit of rust, he’ll be a great option for his price. Podence took his goal well but was outshone by Neto. Hwang played up front in Jiminez’s stead. Looked bright at times. Not bad value for an OOP at £6m.

Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest

Forest didn’t offer a lot going forward but it’s hard to know whether that’s because they were that bad or Newcastle were that good. Will need more time to judge them.

Neco Williams was quite attacking. A couple of bright moves from Forest but not a lot to discuss in reality.

Bruno looks like he might be mainly playing as a deep lying playmaker. Will create chances but might not score too many.

Joelinton looked very bright and had three touches in the box and one shot in the box.

Tottenham vs Southampton

Not a lot to smile about for Saints. Djenepo showed flashes of quality but not enough for anyone to bring him in at the moment.

Kulusevski looked outstanding but how nailed is he now that Richarlison is back?
Son was his usual self, looking very bright and dangerous whenever on the ball.

Sessegnon was bright but when will he lose his place to Perisic. Likewise Emerson Royal will surely be benched for Doherty sooner rather than later.

Everton vs Chelsea

Sorry, there are no player reports for this match, I fell asleep. Man, was this game dull. For Everton, there wasn’t anyone particularly to talk about in much detail. They tried hard and put a shift in but nobody shone really. They badly need a striker.

Patterson played which bodes well for his owners though. Gordon showed touches of class but he needs a lot of help and Everton would be a hard pass for the time being.

As for Chelsea, it was a very lacklustre performance. Sterling showed occasional moments of quality but wasn’t helped by the poor players around him. Mount certainly would have disappointed his owners (me included) and Havertz was similarly poor.

James was solid but had to move into the centre back positions after the injury to Koulibaly so that negatively impacted his attacking output after that. I wouldn’t recommend buying any Chelsea players just yet, especially with Spurs up next.

Leicester vs Brentford

In the battle of the £4m keepers, it was Ward who got the nod and he was very close to a clean sheet until Brentford’s late flurry. Castagne was surprisingly up for a corner and scored a great header. Could be a good bargain if that attacking nature continues.

Maddison got another assist but be warned that he might not be a Leicester player for much longer. Dewsbury-Hall scored a cracker and is very good value for £5m if he continues to start. Age seems to be catching up with Vardy a little; he didn’t look bad by any stretch but his minutes may well be managed/reduced.

Manchester United vs Brighton

Not a great display for United’s defensive options. Martinez had a debut to forget and his defensive team-mates didn’t fare much better. Once Ten Haag has had a few weeks to settle, Dalot and perhaps Shaw could be decent cheap prospects but avoid for now. Especially with their upcoming fixtures. Possible wildcard options though.

Offensively, they didn’t fare much better. Rashford probably should have scored but certainly showed some rustiness at times. Sancho fared slightly better, creating two chances. But the cream of the relatively poor crop was the surprisingly starting Eriksen, creating three chances and attempting three shots too. Could be a value option in a few weeks if he keeps starting.

As for Brighton, Gross shone. Aside from his goals, he looked dangerous throughout the game. Welbeck too looked threatening and might make it hard for Undav to start regularly. Trossard looked lively on the wing.

All could be very promising options for the Seagulls given their relatively easy start to the season fixture wise.

West Ham vs Manchester City

The star of the show was inevitably Haaland but I’ll come to him later. West Ham started brightly but once City got control they never looked back.

Bowen showed glimpses of his ability but didn’t get much time on the ball and neither did his other creative counterparts. The player I want to keep an eye on is Scamacca, someone who comes with a goal scoring pedigree from overseas.

Haaland was the player we all expected him to be. He could easily have had a hat-trick and it’s hardly surprising that he’s already had a price rise due to Kane owners bringing him in.

Will be the very popular captain choice for Bournemouth at home in Gameweek 2 and if you don’t own him, I’d advise you change that rapidly. Elsewhere, Grealish struggled and Foden looked lively. Mahrez being benched was a surprise. Cancelo did what Cancelo does. A bonus points magnet and could easily have had more points than he got.