Gameweek 30 as it happened in the Premier League

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Saturday lunchtime kick off

Gameweek 30 kicked off with a bang following Marcus Rashford’s early brace against rivals Liverpool.

As we heard in commentary during every corner, Virgil van Dijk was getting the beating of Chris Smalling, but he never managed to convert his efforts.

Against Manchester United, the Dutchman managed two efforts, as did his central defensive partner Dejan Lovren.

Since joining Liverpool, Van Dijk has had eight attempts from set-plays, six of which have been headed efforts, in his six games for the Reds. That’s fourth among defenders over that period.

Lovren was scapegoated for both of United’s goals because he lost the aerial duel with Romelu Lukau which lead to the goals. Surprisingly, the centre-back won more aerial duels (5), than Romleu Lukaku (4) in the game.

Unluckily for him, two of the duels he lost directly lead to United’s goals. Should Van Dijk have stepped up and marked the Belgian after the first goal? Perhaps, but it was Rashford’s clinical finishing which scored the goals, not solely Lovren’s defending.

Mohamed Salah was uncharacteristically quiet against the Red Devils thanks to some brilliant defending from Ashley Young, who performed Jose Mourinho’s game plan to shut down Salah to perfection. Salah lost the ball eight times against United, five more than anyone else. He was also limited to just one shot.

Saturday 3pm kick offs

Kenedy opened the scoring during the 3pm kick offs and he doubled his tally not long after, leading to some comparisons with another notable Brazilian footballer.

The moment fantasy managers had been dreaming off all Friday night! Riyad Mahrez scored just after the hour mark, adding to the assist he picked up for Jamie Vardy’s goal. He’s scored twice and assisted another in the last two Gameweeks.

Crowd troubles at the Olympic stadium overshadowed what was another awful game for England’s former number one. Joe Hart made just one save and allowed Johann Gudmundsson’s shot to bounce off him for Chris Wood’s second goal.

The crowd troubles got too much for Hammer’s legend Mark Noble, who took matters into his own hands (fingers).

Theo Walcott continued his run of games without a goal. That’s five games now for the former Arsenal man without a goal or even an assist, following his brace and assist in his first two starts at Everton. Walcott was removed after 73 minutes, although Sam Allardyce has since said the feared injury is only calf cramp and he is likely to return against Stoke in Gameweek 30.

Saturday evening kick off

Marcos Alonso came within inches of his first attacking returns in eight games after Olivier Giroud could only turn his cross against the post.

Alexander Sorloth’s debut goal for Crystal Palace was ruled out against Chelsea.

Patrick van Aanholt has scored against Manchester United and Chelsea in consecutive weeks and has had seven shots in the last four Gameweeks.

Five games, zero goals. At least Callum Wilson had a shot this Gameweek.

Chelsea have not kept a clean sheet in their last six games, including home games against Bournemouth, West Brom and Crystal Palace. The team looks far from solid at the back.

Sunday lunchtime kick off

Daryl Janmaat lined up on the right wing for Watford, although heat-maps show that Kiko Femenia was actually playing further forward.

Assists per season for Mesut Ozil:

2013/14- 10

2014/15- 6

2015/16 19

2016/17 11

2017/18- 8

Eleven games after reaching his 199th clean sheet in the Premier League, Petr Cech got his 200th at home to Watford.

Fantasy managers received some shocking breaking news before the Spurs 4pm kick-off.

Sunday afternoon kick off

Bournemouth took an early lead through Junior Stanislas, who has had as many shots as Harry Kane in the last four Gameweeks (16).

To the horror of Spurs fans and fantasy managers worldwide, Harry Kane was withdrawn after just 34 minutes, without managing a goal or assist against Bournemouth.

One minute after the early substitution, Dele Alli provided some relief to Spurs fans.

And Heung-Min Son gave Spurs the lead on the hour mark with his sixth in four games. He would go on to score his seventh shortly after.

Spurs were not affected by Kane’s forced absence, scoring four without their talisman.