FPL Gameweek was a superb one for owners of Cole Palmer – but for many who played their Wildcard, points were hard to come by.

In this weekly review piece, we’ll take a look at some of the main highlights from a fantasy perspective before concluding with a round-up of the leaders in all key Opta stats metrics.

If you want details of every goalscorer and assist, plus bonus points and more, see our Match Centre, which updates live during matches.

The stats side of this article has been updated after the conclusion of Bournemouth v Southampton on Monday (September 30).

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Palmer scored four against Brighton’s high line – but could have had more

A midfield of Luis Diaz, Bryan Mbeumo, Antoine Semenyo, Bukayo Saka and Morgan Rogers was a common set up for those on Wildcard among the Twitter community.

But those who think everyone had the same team only need look at the wider ownership to see Cole Palmer is in 43.3% of teams, making him the second most popular pick.

And that meant nearly half of FPL managers were delighted on Saturday when their man put four first-half goals past a very vulnerable Brighton.

Those without Chelsea’s 25 point hero can count themselves lucky it wasn’t more, too.

Palmer hit the post and had a goal chalked off for offside in a frantic first 45 minutes that saw the Seagull’s high line repeatedly broken.

The midfielder’s haul included a trademark penalty and a long-range free-kick – and he even created three big chances. Nicolas Jackson was particularly wasteful, missing two big chances and coming away with just a single assist.

Brighton scored through Georginio Rutter and Carlos Baleba, with Chelsea looking shaky at the back themselves.

But if Fabian Hurzeler fails to adjust against Spurs (H) next week, the visiting side’s attacking players could be in for a field day.

Cole Palmer’s stats for Gameweek 6

Saka got bonus – without an attacking return

Fantasy managers with Saka over Palmer might have been questioning their decision after the Chelsea talisman outscored his fellow England international by 22 points.

Saka was however unfortunate not to come away with a memorable tally of his own as Arsenal dominated Leicester.

The Gunners won 4-2 after two late goals, with an expected goals (xG) total of 5.17.

Saka was initially awarded an assist for Arsenal’s third goal but Leandro Trossard’s effort was later ruled an own-goal by Wilfried Ndidi.

But despite this, Saka still came away with one bonus point – an unusual achievement given his lack of attacking returns.

The data helps to show why. He was heavily involved as Mikel Arteta’s men peppered the Foxes’ goal with 36 shots.

Four big chances created, six accurate crosses, eight dribbles, and two shots on target helped to contribute to his bonus. An assist would have seen him record maximum bonus.

Saka created eight chances in total – beaten only by Spurs’ Dejan Kulusevski – and no one matched his big chances created.

That will give non-Palmer owners little comfort but had it not been for Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen making 13 saves, Saka would have had a double-digit return himself. Southampton at home await in Gameweek 7.

Bukayo Saka v Cole Palmer’s stats

Gabriel’s xG was the same as Leicester’s

Double Arsenal attack versus double defence was among the calls managers had to make in Gameweek 6.

It was a case of first blood to double attack, with Leicester scoring twice through James Justin.

This was closer to an Arsenal defensive performance of last season than we’ve seen in previous games this season though.

The Gunners restricted Leicester to the lowest xG of the week – 0.27 – coincidentally the same managed by centre-back Gabriel.

The Brazilian was close to scoring a third goal in three games, with his powerful header from a corner kept out by Hermansen.

But it was Riccardo Calafiori who had the most shots on target among their defenders, with the Italian matching the xG of Gabriel Martinelli, who added a goal to his assist.

Green Arrow podcast fans may have noted

Martinelli was tipped on Thursday’s broadcast after showing signs of form ahead of Gameweek 6.

Gabriel v Riccardo Calafiori in Gameweek 6

McNeil adds goals to his game and thriving in new role

Dwight McNeil’s stats and new central role have been highlighted in previous reviews but the Everton midfielder stepped things up with a brace against Crystal Palace.

McNeil managed 15 points, scoring inside and outside the box and his importance to the team was noted in Gary Lineker’s interview with Sean Dyche on Match of the Day. Dyche said:

“We’ve changed his position, we thought he could operate in the middle of the pitch – we know he can operate wide.

“We’ve had a tricky start to the season which everyone knows and we wanted to try and get more out of him in that role.

“He’s adapted to it well – there’s still more to come I think but we know he’s got talent, he’s got a fine left foot and he’s got in the right area twice. One’s a great finish from distance but the second’s in a great area.”

Budget midfielder Semenyo has a tough act to follow but McNeil’s performance adds further evidence that he is an option in his own right.

Dwight McNeil’s heatmap

Lewis advanced in Rodri’s absence

Rico Lewis got his fifth league start of the season for Manchester City, although it was Josko Gvardiol who got on the scoresheet with a fine finish in the box against Newcastle.

Lewis’s positioning in the absence of the injured Rodri was noteworthy. Manuel Akanji stepped into midfield to support Mateo Kovacic, allowing Lewis to operate more as a number eight.

Gvardiol formed part of a back three but still had five touches in the box, three more than Lewis who had a quiet afternoon.

His performance was still praised by Pep Guardiola, who said he played ‘exceptionally well’.

Rico Lewis’s heatmap

Brentford still love scoring an early goal

Brentford scored inside the first minute for the third league game in a row – a new Premier League record.

Bryan Mbeumo scored 37 seconds into the West Ham match, which finished 1-1.

Bees manager Thomas Frank hinted at a defined strategy that was helping them get a fast start:

“Of course there is planning that goes into it. We have a kick-off strategy and we tweak it from game to game. And as a mindset and philosophy, we like to get straight on the front foot and be positive.

“There are some margins going our way of course, but I want to give credit to the coaching staff and the players.”

Bryan Mbeumo’s stats

Fernandes is definitely a sell now – and Spurs impress

Fantasy fans who held on to Bruno Fernandes amid good stats but poor returns were not rewarded in Gameweek 6 when the Portuguese was sent off in the 0-3 loss to Spurs on Sunday.

Fernandes was arguably a little unlucky to see red, with slip contributing to the challenge on James Maddison, but subject to appeal he will now miss the next three matches.

United going down to 10 men made their task harder, although they had already conceded after Micky van de Ven romped through their defence to set up Brennan Johnson.

Spurs now have the highest xG in the league, with 4.8 of their 14.15 coming against the Red Devils.

Ange Postecoglou’s side were without captain Son Heung-min due to a hamstring issue but this failed to stop them. Dominic Solanke scored again and had three big chances. Only Erling Haaland and Ollie Watkins have had more.

Johnson meanwhile has four goals in four games in all competitions.

Dominic Solanke v Brennan Johnson

Ipswich can compete – despite what the stats say

Newly promoted Ipswich have the worst xG (4.38) and second worst xGC (11.9), however in an attacking sense at least, it looks like they have the potential to hold their own.

The Tractor Boys scored twice against Aston Villa, with Liam Delap grabbing both goals. Full-back Leif Davis created the most chances (seven) in the game.

They restricted Villa to less than 1 xG (0.82) – but could not stop Unai Emery’s team from matching their goals tally, with Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins on target.

Ipswich now have four points from their first six games and Kieran McKenna was encouraged by their performance. He said:

“It is not easy to create chances in the division. Aston Villa haven’t given up many big chances so to create the chances we did showed the boys are growing into it. The next step is taking a couple more. We are showing that we are an improving side.

“Four games unbeaten doesn’t come easily in the Premier League. It is a fantastic first step and we still feel there is a lot of improvement to come.”

Liam Delap v Leif Davis

Most managers disappointed by captain choice

The focus for the captaincy was overwhelmingly on Haaland this weekend, with Mohamed Salah (10 points) way behind the Norwegian among the top 250,000 managers.

It was a disappointing showing from the City striker though, who came away from St James’ Park empty handed.

Ilkay Gundogan had two golden opportunities to play him through but did not find him, adding to captainers’ frustrations.

But things could have been worse, with fears he might have to come off at half-time after a tackle left him bleeding from his Achilles and his sock in tatters.

Haaland finished the game and should be fine for City’s midweek Champions League game and beyond.

Gameweek 6 captaincy backing – top 250,000

Opta stats leaders for FPL Gameweek 6: Players

Here are the Gameweek 6 stats leaders in full. There were minimal changes following the Bournemouth v Southampton games, which saw the home side win 3-1.

Goals from Antoine Semenyo, Evanilson and Dango Ouattara sealed the victory. Lewis Cook’s two assists saw him make the list below:

Shots – Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz – 7
Shots on target – Cole Palmer – 5
Shots in the box – Kai Havertz – 6
Big chances – Cole Palmer – 4
Goals – Cole Palmer – 4
xG – Kai Havertz – 2.18
Non-penalty xG (NpxG) – Kai Havertz – 2.18
Key passes – Dejan Kulusevski – 9
Big chances created – Bukayo Saka – 4
Assists – Lewis Cook, Diogo Jota and Jadon Sancho – 2
Expected assists (xA) – Bukayo Saka – 0.79
FPL points – Cole Palmer – 25
Expected points (xPts) – Cole Palmer – 14.7

Opta stats leaders for FPL Gameweek 6: Teams

Most shots – Arsenal – 36 (v Leicester)
Highest xG – Arsenal – 5.17
Lowest xG – Leicester – 0.27 (v Arsenal)

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9 things we learned from Gameweek 6 and key FPL stats

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