Feast followed famine for goals this week, with a massive swing away from the clean sheet bonanza of GW4 to just two teams failing to score this week. As a result, it’s fewer CBs and DMs, and more fullbacks and attacking mids this week. A 4-5-1 formation with a slight drop in average points, but not a single player made it from last week’s line-up into this week’s. Let’s see who made the team sheet in Statr’s Team of the Week for gameweek 5:
GOALKEEPER
Donnarumma (Man City) : 17
Busy boy indeed! While this week’s 1-1 draw between Arsenal and City will be remembered more for Pep choosing some unusual and frankly ineffective tactics at the back, Donnarumma managed to provide a one-man siege wall in the second half in the kind of performance that made his name at PSG. City goalies have historically been at risk of scoring low because of amazing defence in front of them, but this year isn’t one of those. Keep a close eye.
DEFENDERS
Williams (Nottingham Forest) : 33
Not just the highest scoring defender, but the highest points haul overall this week. It’s probably a flash in the pan, but Ange at the wheel is undoubtedly going to mean more action out on the fringes for Forest.
James (Chelsea) : 26
More drama than a septic comment thread this week at Old Trafford led to an incredibly busy Reece James at the back and front with key passes as well as blocked scoring attacks and tackles. The injuries are a constant threat but if he starts regularly, he’ll score regularly.
Cash (Aston Villa) : 28
A stalwart veteran in the league’s oldest squad, Matty Cash has been solid at right-back for Villa even though their attacking has been pretty woeful. Three weeks of the five so far have seen him land 15+ points, peaking this week at 26 courtesy of a goal, a BSA, and plenty of passes completed.
Agbadou (Wolves) : 26
If you’re thinking any of the following:
- A Wolves defender?
- Who?
- Seriously, Wolves?
You’re exactly where I was when I started writing this article. The lad did well this week: crosses, tackles and aerial challenges won point to a well-rounded performance from the back despite a 3-1 loss to Leeds. And speaking of Leeds…
MIDFIELDERS
Stach (Leeds) : 29
Here he is again – the one we said to keep an eye on all the way back before the season started, netting his first goal and first assist of the campaign in the win over Wolves. Leeds won’t see many easy fixtures this season, but when they do, this is the man that will make the magic happen for them. The German serves as a CDM so keep an eye out for fouls and cards, but it’s attacking returns that could make this one a sleeper.
Gueye (Everton) : 26
Everton’s midfield is absolutely swarming this season, with Jack Grealish finally finding his place, James Garner having all the ball traffic move through him, and this week Idrissa Gueye the major contributor in the always-brutal Everton visit to Anfield. It was a closer run game than many would have expected this year, and while Gueye’s role is usually defensive, this week he picked up a rare goal to make it into our starting XI.
Damsgaard (Brentford) : 29
A mid? A forward? The last ray of hope for a Brentford squad looking positively pedestrian all season? We don’t care, we just know he’s still an attacking firecracker. More crosses than Easter Sunday and the only goal in a 3-1 defeat to Fulham, Damsgaard is looking to have the glorious cocktail of volatility and nailedonity. Horse it into ye lads, he’s only going to get better.
Gravenberch (Liverpool) : 27
There’s a big lad at the back, and he’s recognised by every YNWA-head as a key part of their club’s success. Sadly, if you’re on the old school fantasy setup, DMs are rarely able to break into glory. Fortunately, we love a midfield general here at Statr and the points reflect that. Last week Caicedo, this week Gravenberch. Quality knows no position.
Fernandes (Manchester United) : 28
Bruno in rain, Bruno in shine, Bruno every f*&^ing time. We don’t remember a time when he wasn’t immediately snapped up and beyond even the sauciest of internal trade offers in our prototype leagues. Insanity of the game notwithstanding, Fernandes has as always been the main attacking delivery route for the beleaguered Man U. It’s never surprising to see him make the team of the week, but it’s always hard-earned.
FORWARDS
Anthony (Burnley) : 30
It doesn’t matter who it is: if you’re the attacking focal point of a premier league team, you’re going to get attacking returns. Jadon Anthony provided goals, crosses, scores and key passes this week, but whether we’ll see this sort of play from Burnley as the year progresses or not is a different question. Fantasy verdict: Bench with an occasional start, but time carefully.
Jimi Kavanagh, September 2025
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