Newcastle United defender Lewis Hall achieved a 15-point haul in Gameweek 16, claiming two assists, a clean sheet and three bonus points in the Magpies' 4-0 victory over Leicester City.
The second of those assists - Newcastle’s third goal scored by Alexander Isak - has divided opinion within the Fantasy Premier League community.
Here, we explain why a Fantasy assist was awarded.
What happened?
In the 50th minute, Hall delivered a cross into the six-yard box which took a deflection off Leicester's Conor Coady before reaching Isak, who headed in from close range.
Following a conversation between FPL matchday staff and data provider Stats Perform, a Fantasy assist was awarded.
This decision was ratified before Gameweek 16 closed after Monday night’s match.
After review, the assist for Newcastle’s third goal is awarded to Lewis Hall. The touch on his cross did not deviate it from the intended destination.#FPL https://t.co/fZVcwmoU33
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 14, 2024
What is the rule that was applied?
When a pass or cross is deflected, the following assists rule is considered:
"If an opposing player deflects the ball after the final pass before a goal is scored, significantly altering the intended destination of the ball, then no assist in Fantasy is awarded."
Isak was in the area that the ball was directed to before the deflection, and was identified as the clear intended target of the cross. The touch from Coady was not deemed to have significantly altered the intended destination of the ball.
Therefore, Hall was awarded a Fantasy assist.
A similar incident occurred last season in Chelsea’s 3-0 home victory over Luton Town on 25 August 2023.
Raheem Sterling was awarded a Fantasy assist for his part in Nicolas Jackson’s goal.
Sterling’s cross was deflected via Amari’i Bell, but it was deemed the touch did not prevent the ball from reaching the intended target, Jackson.
Why didn't Mbeumo and Bowen get Fantasy assists?
A touch is deemed significant when it changes the intended destination of the cross. In those instances, no assist is awarded.
Two similar instances have been discussed this season, both of which led to no Fantasy assist being given.
When Brentford beat Leicester 4-1 in Gameweek 13, Bryan Mbeumo’s pass was deflected into the path of Kevin Schade, who scored.
Fantasy Premier League and Stats Perform identified Brentford forward Yoane Wissa as the intended target, and therefore Mbeumo was not awarded the assist.
Similarly, Jarrod Bowen was not awarded an assist for his part in Mohammed Kudus’s goal during West Ham United’s defeat at Tottenham Hotspur in Gameweek 8.
It was deemed the cross from Bowen was intended for Michail Antonio at the near post, before a significant deflection from Micky van de Ven altered the destination of the ball into the path of goalscorer Kudus.
Finalising assists
For the avoidance of doubt, points awarded in-game are subject to change up until one hour after the final whistle of the last match of the Gameweek.
Once the points have all been updated on that day, no further adjustments to points will be made unless under extraordinary circumstances.
The final decision on Fantasy assists is made by Fantasy Premier League in consultation with Stats Perform.
For more, go to the "Scoring" section of the FPL rules.
