In this series, I will highlight specific players and teams from the gameweek just gone who either posted extremely promising or poor statistics. A lot of the focus will be directed towards players and teams who under/over performed on a weekly basis when comparing output against stats.
The xG Delta stat is the difference between actual goals and expected goals (xG). A high minus figure indicates underachievement and a high plus figure indicates overachievement.
xG Delta Underachievers
Roberto Firmino (-0.78)
Callum Wilson (-0.69)
Chicharito (-0.66)
xG Delta Overachievers
Ashley Barnes (+1.32)
Tanguy Ndombele (+0.96)
Virgil Van Dijk (+0.92)
Although both Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane should appear on this list based entirely on xG delta figures, they both had high xG figures and the fact they scored a hat-trick and brace respectively, increased their xG delta. They both posted impressive all-round stats, so their gameweek 1 scores should not be undermined.
Team Under/Overachievement
Burnley + Brighton (Overachievement) – Both Burnley and Brighton were victorious in their opening Premier League match by a score of 3-0 against Southampton and Watford respectively. However, both of their xG statistics suggest that these comfortable victories were perhaps fortunate on the day and will not be sustainable. Burnley scored 3 goals from an xG of 0.89, whilst Brighton scored the same amount from an xG of 0.86. Notably, although losing 0-3, Southampton actually had a higher xG compared to Burnley (1.09).
Chelsea (Underachievement) – Chelsea recorded the 6th highest xG and 2nd highest number of shots (18) amongst all 20 Premier League teams, yet managed 0 goals. Their desire to attack resulted in them hitting the woodwork on 2 occasions, but was also their downfall as they left vast spaces between the lines, something that Man United exploited on the counter-attack.
Total Goal Attempts
Defenders – Emerson (4)
Midfielders – Maddison, Martial, Pedro, Sigurdsson, Sterling, Lamela, Sissoko (4)
Forwards – Kane (8), Rashford, A. Barnes, Firmino, Aubameyang (4)
Chances Created
Defenders – Rose (4), Alexander-Arnold (3)
Midfielders – Pedro (5), Mahrez, Mount, Pogba (4)
Forwards – Kane, Pukki, Nelson, Origi (2)
Average Positions
- Haller positioned deeper than both Antonio and Lanzini on average.
- Fraser positioned higher up the pitch than both Wilson and King on average.
- Lundstram the most advanced Sheffield United midfielder.
- Spurs’ width provided by the full-backs with all attackers staying very narrow.
- Leicester lacked width on the left-hand side.
- Jimenez’s average position was level with Dendoncker, whilst Jota played much further forward on average.
- Man United lacked width on the right-hand side at times with the starting XI as Lingard and Pereira drifted centrally, coupled with Rashford and Martial’s tendency to play from the left.
- 6 Chelsea players had an average position in the opposition half, making it hardly surprising they were so often caught on the counter-attack and short of numbers in midfield.
Other Standout Stats
- Ayoze Perez – 0.06 xG, 0.07 xA, 1 goal attempt, 0 chances created.
- James Maddison – 15 crosses (Gameweek 1 highest, 2nd was 10 – Lamela).
- Spurs recorded the most goal attempts (31), 2nd was Chelsea with 18.
- Walker-Peters recorded the most touches in the final third amongst all defenders (45).
Written by Nick Pasquet
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nick_FootballPA
Stats sourced from understat.com + fantasyfootballscout.co.uk
