The Bonus Points
Manchester City dominated the Fantasy Premier League bonus points in Sunday’s showdown at the Etihad Stadium.
Raheem Sterling (£8.1million) collected the maximum three, scoring 45 in the Bonus Points System after netting two of City’s three goals. Only Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez (46) totalled more BPS in the Gameweek.
Fellow scorer Fernandinho (£5.5m) picked up two bonus points, thanks to a BPS score of 38. The midfielder headed in the hosts’ second, supplementing this with two successful tackles and nine recoveries.
Kevin De Bruyne (£10.5m) received a single bonus point. Scoring 31 in the BPS, he provided the assist for Fernandinho’s goal - his second from a dead-ball delivery this season; the Belgian also delivered three open play crosses.
The ICT Index
City took up six of the top seven slots in the ICT Index for Sunday’s match.
David Silva (£8.9m) and Sterling were ranked first and second in Gameweek 3 with scores of 18.4 and 16.9 respectively.
Silva created five scoring chances and fired as many attempts on goal, with three arriving inside the Hammers’ box. He also made more successful passes in the final third (23) than any team-mate.
Sterling turned in his most potent showing of the season, producing four efforts in the penalty area on his way to scoring twice. With two key passes and three successful dribbles, he earned top spot for ICT Influence in the Gameweek with a score of 72.
Once again, De Bruyne took third position. The Belgian created four scoring chances against Slaven Bilic’s side and registered two attempts on goal.
Both De Bruyne and Silva have produced eight key passes in the opening three Gameweeks and sit in the top five for ICT Creativity.
The Scout Notes
Sterling’s man of the match performance has already sparked significant interest from Fantasy Premier League managers – over 55,000 have already drafted him in on the back of a 15-point return.
While Sterling, De Bruyne and Silva have started all three league fixtures, Nolito (£9.0m) and Jesus Navas (£6.5m) continue to alternate for the remaining attacking midfield slot in Pep Guardiola’s 4-1-4-1 formation.
Returning to the XI at the expense of Navas after scoring twice as a substitute at Stoke City, Nolito supplied the assist for Sterling’s opener.
Aleksandar Kolarov (£6.0m) dropped to the bench and was replaced by Gael Clichy (£5.5m) in the first XI. Owned by 4.9%, the Serbian’s starting role now look in question. He was utilised as a second-half substitute after John Stones (£5.0m) was forced off with an eye problem.
Willy Caballero (£5.0m) continued in goal but new arrival Claudio Bravo (£5.5m) will be pushing for a start between the posts after arriving from Barcelona.
But Guardiola could have bigger concerns ahead of the Gameweek 4 derby match with Manchester United.
Sergio Aguero was involved in a clash with West Ham United's Winston Reid that appeared to be unseen by referee Andre Marriner.
The incident could yet be reviewed by the FA which may result in a retrospective charge of violent conduct. Such a charge would carry a three-match suspension.
Should that materialise, Aguero would miss the Old Trafford derby and also the Gameweek 5 meeting with AFC Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium.
Slaven Bilic moved away from a four-man backline and rolled out a 3-5-2 formation at the Etihad.
Michail Antonio (£7.0m) was utilised as right wing-back in the first half before moving up front after the break. The midfielder netted his side’s consolation and has now scored in successive league outings.
Manuel Lanzini (£6.4m) returned from injury to earn minutes off the bench and Ashley Fletcher (£5.0m) was handed a first league start up front by Bilic.
With Dimitri Payet (£9.4m) expected to be contention after the international break, in addition to the arrival of new striker Simone Zaza from Juventus, the Hammers could soon have plenty of options available as they prepare for a run of four home matches in six Gameweeks.
The picture is also a little uncertain at the back.
Angelo Ogbonna (£4.9m) was afforded a first start due to the tactical change and Sam Byram (£4.5m) dropped to the bench before coming on as a right wing-back after the break, allowing Antonio to move up front.
