<p>Fantasy Premier League (FPL) returns this weekend after the conclusion of the international break &#8211; but what&#8217;s stood out in the first seven gameweeks of the season?</p>
<p>We take a look at the highlights from the <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta">Opta</a> <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a>, which Fantasy Football Hub members can view in full on our dedicated page.</p>
<p>From goal threat to creativity and team performances, here&#8217;s what&#8217;s caught our eye.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p>
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<h3>🤖 Hub AI quick summary 🤖</h3>
<p>Simplicity and speed are among Fantasy Football Hub&#8217;s core values, so many of our articles this season will come with a quick &#8216;Hub AI&#8217; summary for those who want the answer &#8211; fast.</p>
<p>Read the full article for the detailed picture &#8211; and listen to an audio summary 👇</p>
<ul>
<li data-start="189" data-end="348">🔥Erling Haaland is in a league of his own for goal threat, leading all key metrics</li>
<li data-start="189" data-end="348">👀Antoine Semenyo&#8217;s hot start follows an improvement in the quality of his shooting</li>
<li data-start="189" data-end="348">🤔Manchester United have the best team expected goals &#8211; but other data suggests caution on their attackers</li>
</ul>
<audio class="wp-audio-shortcode" id="audio-75177-1" preload="none" style="width: 100%;" controls="controls"><source type="audio/mpeg" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Stats-summary-GW1-7.mp3?_=1" /><a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Stats-summary-GW1-7.mp3">https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Stats-summary-GW1-7.mp3</a></audio>
<h2>Goal threat: Haaland dominant</h2>
<p>It&#8217;s been a one-man show in front of goal, with <strong>Erling Haaland </strong>scoring nine times.</p>
<p>The Norwegian has dominated, leading the way for shots, attempts on target and in the box, big chances and expected goals (xG).</p>
<p>Only eight teams as a whole have had more big chances than him, with Manchester City&#8217;s attacks focused on finding him. No one has a higher expected goal involvement share while on the pitch than his 68%.</p>
<p>Haaland is the top-scoring FPL player on 70 points. It&#8217;s more than double the score of <strong>Mohamed Salah</strong>, who has two goals, two assists and two big chances.</p>
<div id="attachment_75178" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-75178" class="size-full wp-image-75178" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Haaland-v-Salah-GW1-7.jpeg" alt="Erling Haaland v Mohamed Salah" width="840" height="690" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Haaland-v-Salah-GW1-7.jpeg 840w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Haaland-v-Salah-GW1-7-300x246.jpeg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Haaland-v-Salah-GW1-7-768x631.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px" /><p id="caption-attachment-75178" class="wp-caption-text">Erling Haaland v Mohamed Salah</p></div>
<h2>Attacking stats: The best of the rest</h2>
<p>Here&#8217;s a selection of the other notable performers to date from an attacking perspective:</p>
<h3>Antoine Semenyo</h3>
<p>Semenyo&#8217;s hot start has catapulted him into 59.8% of teams, making him the third most popular pick.</p>
<p>The Bournemouth midfielder has six goals and three assists and is joint second for total shots (17).</p>
<p>Last season, accuracy let him down. He ranked third for shots but only 32.8% were on target.</p>
<p>Just over half of his attempts hit the target between Gameweek 1 and 7 (52.94), although this is a much smaller set of data.</p>
<p>The Ghanaian international has only taken two long shots this season &#8211; which accounted for a third of his total in 2024/25 &#8211;  and he has commented on how he worked on his game in the off-season:</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;In previous seasons I&#8217;ve always hit the ball too quickly and smashed it without any accuracy.</p>
<p>&#8220;In the off-season I&#8217;ve been working on being calm, collected, and placing it in the corner because I know I have a lot of power when I shoot.</p>
<p>&#8220;If I place it, I&#8217;ll know I&#8217;ll score and that&#8217;s what I&#8217;ve implemented this season and the results are showing.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>Fantasy managers will be monitoring whether this trend continues.</p>
<div id="attachment_75154" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-75154" class="wp-image-75154 size-full" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/playerstats-Semenyo-bordered-3.jpeg" alt="Antoine Semenyo's stats" width="840" height="690" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/playerstats-Semenyo-bordered-3.jpeg 840w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/playerstats-Semenyo-bordered-3-300x246.jpeg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/playerstats-Semenyo-bordered-3-768x631.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px" /><p id="caption-attachment-75154" class="wp-caption-text">Antoine Semenyo&#8217;s <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></p></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Jean-Philippe Mateta</h3>
<p>Mateta hasn&#8217;t attracted much attention, scoring twice in seven matches.</p>
<p>But he sits second for xG ahead of Semenyo on 4.18 &#8211; and even discounting his penalty, still remains second best.</p>
<p>Nine big chances have come his way &#8211; the second most behind Haaland &#8211; meaning the Frenchman has under-performed.</p>
<p>Crystal Palace&#8217;s striker has exceeded his xG in his last two seasons however, so it wouldn&#8217;t be a surprise to see him catch up over the coming weeks.</p>
<div id="attachment_75179" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-75179" class="size-full wp-image-75179" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Mateta-GW1-7.jpeg" alt="Jean-Philippe Mateta's stats" width="840" height="690" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Mateta-GW1-7.jpeg 840w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Mateta-GW1-7-300x246.jpeg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Mateta-GW1-7-768x631.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px" /><p id="caption-attachment-75179" class="wp-caption-text">Jean-Philippe Mateta&#8217;s <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></p></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Ismaila Sarr</h3>
<p>Mateta&#8217;s teammate has been limited to five appearances due to a hamstring injury.</p>
<p>But in that time, he&#8217;s still done enough to rank third for non-penalty xG (2.93).</p>
<p>Sarr has three goals and one assist and is a crucial part of Palace&#8217;s attack now <strong>Eberechi Eze </strong>has left the club. He provides value for FPL managers at £6.5m.</p>
<div id="attachment_75180" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-75180" class="size-full wp-image-75180" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Sarr-GW1-7.jpeg" alt="Ismaila Sarr's stats" width="840" height="690" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Sarr-GW1-7.jpeg 840w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Sarr-GW1-7-300x246.jpeg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Sarr-GW1-7-768x631.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px" /><p id="caption-attachment-75180" class="wp-caption-text">Ismaila Sarr&#8217;s <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></p></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Enzo Fernandez</h3>
<p>The Chelsea midfielder is another who has caught the eye at a budget price (£6.7m).</p>
<p>He has registered six big chances (T-4th) and a fourth best xG of 3.66, scoring three and assisting two.</p>
<p>The Argentine took a penalty in the absence of <strong>Cole Palmer </strong>but ranks fifth for non-penalty xG, indicating he has still had plenty of open-play opportunities.</p>
<p>Whether he retains spot-kicks ahead of <strong>Joao Pedro </strong>while Palmer remains sidelined is debated, however he still has a share of set-pieces to give him extra routes to points.</p>
<p>Chelsea top the Hub&#8217;s <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fixture-ticker">fixture ticker</a> from Gameweek 9 all the way to Gameweek 19, making their players appealing options.</p>
<div id="attachment_75181" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-75181" class="size-full wp-image-75181" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Enzo-GW1-7.jpeg" alt="Enzo Fernandez's stats" width="840" height="690" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Enzo-GW1-7.jpeg 840w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Enzo-GW1-7-300x246.jpeg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Enzo-GW1-7-768x631.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px" /><p id="caption-attachment-75181" class="wp-caption-text">Enzo Fernandez&#8217;s <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></p></div>
<h2>Creativity: Everton midfielders on radar</h2>
<p><strong>Bruno Fernandes</strong> has completed the most key passes but only one big chance created means he ranks ninth for expected assists (xA).</p>
<p>The top of this metric is led by two Everton players &#8211; <strong>Jack Grealish </strong>(1.89) and <strong>Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall </strong>(1.26) &#8211; while Fernandes&#8217;s teammate <strong>Bryan Mbeumo </strong>is third on 1.55.</p>
<p><strong>Adam Wharton </strong>has created the most big chances (five), while £5.0m midfielders <strong>Granit Xhaka </strong>and <strong>David Brooks</strong> are among a group which also includes Salah on four.</p>
<p>And in terms of actual assists, <strong>Mohammed Kudus </strong>five (1.1 xA) beats Grealish&#8217;s four.</p>
<p>Defender <strong>El Hadji Malick Diouf </strong>stands out as the only defender in the top 10. The West Ham left-back has impressed in the early stages of his debut season.</p>
<p>West Ham&#8217;s defensive frailties and the introduction of <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fpl-defcon-points-watch">defensive contributions</a> have restricted his ownership to 3.7% but this could improve if Nuno Espirito Santo tightens the Hammers up.</p>
<div id="attachment_75182" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-75182" class="size-full wp-image-75182" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Expected-assists.jpeg" alt="Most assists betweeen Gameweek 1 and 7" width="840" height="690" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Expected-assists.jpeg 840w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Expected-assists-300x246.jpeg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Expected-assists-768x631.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px" /><p id="caption-attachment-75182" class="wp-caption-text">Most assists betweeen Gameweek 1 and 7</p></div>
<h2>Teams: United surprise atop xG table</h2>
<p>Manchester United have amassed more xG than any other team (13.97) &#8211; a far cry from last season when they ranked 12th.</p>
<p>Shot volume has contributed to this, with no team having more efforts on goal than their 110.</p>
<p>Palace edge them for shots on target &#8211; 36 to 34 &#8211; and the Eagles are top for big chances (25). This is where the Red Devils fall down, with their 16 big chances only seventh highest.</p>
<div id="attachment_75183" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-75183" class="size-full wp-image-75183" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Team-xG-GW1-7.jpeg" alt="Team expected goals top 10" width="840" height="690" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Team-xG-GW1-7.jpeg 840w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Team-xG-GW1-7-300x246.jpeg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Team-xG-GW1-7-768x631.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px" /><p id="caption-attachment-75183" class="wp-caption-text">Team expected goals top 10</p></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Ruben Amorim&#8217;s side have scored nine goals, well behind City&#8217;s 15, Arsenal&#8217;s 14 and the 13 of Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool.</p>
<p>They therefore have a way to go before we can say their attacking play has been transformed enough to consider loading up on their forward line.</p>
<p>At the other end of the table, Burnley have created the least xG (5.0) and have the worst expected goals conceded (xGC) of 13.6.</p>
<p>Fixtures difficulty has played a part in this, so it&#8217;s worth keeping an eye on whether they continue to be a team to target &#8211; and if promoted Sunderland and Leeds continue to be among the top eight for xGC longer term.</p>
<p>Arsenal unsurprisingly have the strongest xGC (4.3) ahead of Newcastle (4.9). Mikel Arteta&#8217;s team have been a reliable source of clean sheets in recent seasons.</p>
<div id="attachment_75184" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-75184" class="size-full wp-image-75184" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/xGC-GW1-7.jpeg" alt="Team expected goals conceded leaders" width="840" height="690" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/xGC-GW1-7.jpeg 840w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/xGC-GW1-7-300x246.jpeg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/xGC-GW1-7-768x631.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px" /><p id="caption-attachment-75184" class="wp-caption-text">Team expected goals conceded leaders</p></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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