FPL GW19 stats: Isak scores again as managers Wildcard

Gameweek 19 was the final opportunity for Fantasy Premier League managers to use their first Wildcard, and over 427,000 decided to reshuffle their squad ahead of the deadline.

It was the fourth-highest number of Wildcards played this season and took the total up to 5.4million - the first time that more than 5m people have used their first Wildcard.

For the third time in four Gameweeks, Alexander Isak (£9.2m) was top of managers' shopping lists, with 677,000+ adding him to their squad. He's now the third most-selected player, found in 5.2m teams, with an ownership of 49.3 per cent.

With seven goals in five matches heading into Gameweek 19, Isak had delivered on each of the two previous occasions that he had been the Gameweek's No 1 recruit. And once again he didn't disappoint.

The Sweden international scored the opening goal in Newcastle United's 2-0 win over Manchester United, earning a share of the bonus for a seven-point return.

Since Gameweek 10, he's the only top transfer target to produce immediate returns.

Most-bought player of the Gameweek

Newcastle's Anthony Gordon (£7.4m) joined his team-mate among the top five transfers in. 

His all-round attacking threat was on display once again at Old Trafford as he added an assist to his four goals and four assists this term.

The underlying statistics offer further encouragement to his 441,000+ new owners. Since Gameweek 14, his 16 key passes place third among midfielders, while his 16 shots and 11 shots in the box are bettered only by Isak among Newcastle players.

Matheus Cunha (£7.1m) was a popular recruit after amassing 30 points over his three previous appearances.

But that run of good form came to an end as the second most-bought player of the Gameweek was substituted at half-time in Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur due to injury. He returned just a single point.

Cunha is now suspended for Gameweek 20 after being the subject of an FA misconduct charge following an incident at the end of the Gameweek 16 match against Ipswich Town. 

GW19 most-bought players

It was also a disappointing afternoon for those who brought in Ismaila Sarr (£5.9m) for Crystal Palace's enticing home encounter with bottom side Southampton. 

Despite having three shots and being presented with a big chance - a situation where the player is expected to score - he emerged empty-handed as Palace won 2-1.

There was better news, however, for those who snapped up Ola Aina (£5.2m) as he registered his eighth clean sheet of the campaign.

Aina collected a share of the bonus from Nottingham Forest's 2-0 win Over Everton for an eight-point return, cementing his position at the top of the Fantasy defender standings.

GW19 most-captained players

Among the most-captained players, Mohamed Salah's (£13.6m) outstanding season continued with his 12th double-figure haul, thanks to a goal, two assists and two bonus points in Liverpool's 5-0 win at West Ham United.

He's now the fastest player EVER to reach 200 points in Fantasy.

Handed the armband by more than 2m people, Erling Haaland (£14.8m) scored his first goal in four matches as Manchester City beat Leicester City 2-0.

And Ollie Watkins (£8.8m) took advantage of the suspension to positional rival Jhon Duran (£5.8m) to record his first return in five matches with double digits versus Brighton & Hove Albion.

The only member of the top five captains to blank was Cole Palmer (£11.4m) as Chelsea lost 2-0 at Ipswich Town.

Having recorded just seven blanks in 29 starts in last season, this was Palmer's ninth blank in 19 starts this season.