ALTON LESTER INVITATIONAL 

SEASON THIRTEEN

WEEK 1

In the opening fixtures of the Premier League, newly promoted Hull City surprised Man Utd with a 2-0 home win. Brighton destroyed Aston Villa 4-0 at home. In the West London derby, Chelsea looked impressive but nervy at the back for a 3-2 win at Fulham.

The defending champions Arsenal cruised past the Championship winners Coventry, 3-0 at home. Brentford crushed a new-look Spurs 3-0 at home. Everton eased past Crystal Palace 2-0 at home. Leeds narrowly beat Notts Forest 1-0 away.

Man City came from behind to claim a late 2-1 win at home to Bournemouth. Ipswich got off to a good start with a late 2-1 win at home to Sunderland, and Liverpool salvaged a point with a stoppage-time penalty to earn a 2-2 draw at Newcastle.

In the fantasy league, Hayes and Yeading Sporting Director Delroy Preddie is the early league leader, with an impressive 70 weekly score and obviously this week’s Highest Scorer. Doing the business were triple captain Haaland (6) Joao Pedro (11) Guehi (10) Saka (9) Szoboszlai (8) Rodon (6) Verbruggen (6) Willock (6), and Gabriel (5).

Four points behind in second is Sanjay Beecher, flying the flag for JA & USA, following a very decent bench boost 66 point week. Thanks to captain Haaland (4) Guehi (10) Calafiori (9) Szoboszlai (8) Kelleher (7) Robertson (3), and from off the bench, Joao Pedro (11) and Wilson (3).

Owen Barnes is in third, just a point behind with a very decent weekly score of 65 points and contributions from captain Haaland (4) Joao Pedro (11) Guehi (10) Calafiori (9) Gomez (6) Muharemovic (6) Raya (6) Tarkowski (6), and Rice (3).

Holding a Champions League place in fourth is my longtime bredrin, Francis Norville. He notched a very decent 63 point week, due to captain Haaland (4) Joao Pedro (11) Odegaard (11) Ndiaye (9) Rogers (8) Tzolis (6) Gabriel (5), and Donnarumma (3).

In joint fifth, just a point behind is former champ (ahem) Charles Denton, with a weekly score of 62 points. His contributions came from captain Gabriel (10) Joao Pedro (11) Guehi (10) Rogers (8) Szoboszlai (8), and Havertz (6). Also in joint fifth with a 62 point week is Timothy Stigwood, following captain Haaland (4) Sangare (14) Palmer (13) Calafiori (9) Szoboszlai (8), and Tzolis (6).

Simon Sebhat is in seventh, just two points behind, due to his 60 point weekly score, with captain Joao Pedro (22) Ndaiye (9) Rogers (8) Raya (6), and Gabriel (5). A point behind in eighth is my old workmate Mr James, with a weekly score of 59 points, following captain Havertz (12) De Cuyper (17) Joao Pedro (11) Raya (6), and Tzolis (6).

In ninth is my recent(ish) old workmate Abdul Rahman, who had a weekly score of 58 points, with captain Haaland (4) Joao Pedro (11) Guehi (10) Ndiaye (9) Xhaka (9), and Rogers (8). Making up the top ten is the defending champion, my old football club mate Darren Michael, with a 56 point week, due to captain Haaland (4) Joao Pedro (11) Odegaard (11) Calafiori (9), and Verbruggen (6).

Full steam ahead to week 2, make it count y’all.