Another week of Premier League action has come and gone and, as always, it was an interesting one. Defenders, in particular, had a big week as five defences kept clean sheets, and five defenders scored a goal but, strangely, no one managed to do both. Because of this, only three players from the back have landed a spot in our Goal Fantasy Team of the Week. To see who made the cut, just keep reading.
GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga - Chelsea - 1 Game, 5 Saves, 1 Clean Sheet = 9 Points
DEF: Virgil Van Dijk - Liverpool - 1 Game, 1 Assist, 1 Clean Sheet = 10 Points
Van Dijk has proven to be well worth the £75m Liverpool paid in January, and it was evident again on Sunday. The Dutchman helped the Reds to keep yet another clean sheet, making it a Premier League-high nine for the season.
The Netherlands international also contributed the match-winning goal with one of the strangest assists you will ever see, but don’t expect many more of them as it was the first time Van Dijk has ever set up a goal in England.
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Considering Liverpool's run of fixtures through to Boxing Day, every Fantasy team should have at least one Liverpool defender.
DEF: Shane Duffy - Brighton - 1 Game, 1 Goal, 1 Goal Conceded = 8 Points
DEF: Matt Doherty - Wolves - 1 Game, 1 Goal, 2 Goals Conceded = 7 Points
MID: Andros Townsend - Crystal Palace - 1 Game, 1 Goal, 1 Assist = 11 Points
Crystal Palace looked the far better team in their match against Burnley, and Townsend was a big reason as to why. Townsend's goal was a textbook strike as he cut in from the right wing before curling it into the top-left corner.
The creative side of his game was clicking as well, as he led the league in chances created this week (five) with one of them resulting in an assist.
While the Palace man should be applauded for his efforts against the Clarets, his Fantasy prognosis is not great as Townsend has never scored in back-to-back games since moving to Selhurst Park.
MID: James Maddison - Leicester City - 1 Game, 1 Goal = 8 Points
MID: Felipe Anderson - West Ham - 1 Game, 1 Goal = 8 Points
Marko Arnautovic tends to get all of the love in the Fantasy world, but Felipe Anderson has now scored more points than any other West Ham player in the Goal game. With his goal this week, he’s now scored four in his last five matches, which is joint-best in the Premier League over that stretch. Considering the Hammers face the four worst defences in their next seven fixtures, and his £6.6m price tag, Anderson looks a fully viable option through December.
MID: Raheem Sterling - Manchester City - 1 Game, 1 Goal = 8 Points
FOR: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - Arsenal - 1 Game, 2 Goals, 1 Assist = 15 Points
What a day for Aubameyang. The 29-year-old scored a brace and also provided an assist on Sunday to help Arsenal to their 4-2 win against Tottenham in the North London derby.
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Aubameyang's 15-point total was his joint-best of the season and has won him the honour of Goal Fantasy Player of the Week.
The Gunners frontman leads the league in goals with 10 and has every chance of adding to that total this week when he faces Manchester United, who have kept just two clean sheets in 14 attempts.
FOR: Chicharito - West Ham - 1 Game, 2 Goals = 12 Points
FOR: Marcus Rashford - Manchester United - 1 Game, 2 Assists = 8 Points
