While there was a lot of excitement heading into the October midweek Premier League gameweek, we were all left disappointed. 2 matches ending 0-0, 3 ending 1-0 is all I need to tell you about the football. That being said, there’s still a lot of action on and off the field for us to delve deeper into in this week’s Winners and Losers.

Also read: FPL: Top 5 FPL Players To Watch For Gameweek 13

Winners

Fredemiro

The McFred era is over, it’s Fredemiro time now! Casemiro has finally settled into this side, and he’s getting the Brazilian out of Fred. They both were spectacular against Spurs. The duo controlled things in the middle of the park, pushed up high, and ensured that when the attackers when up to press, they were no out balls for the opposition.

Although it took a lucky deflection, Fred scored United’s opening goal. Some might say United deserved the luck after the peppering Lloris had in the first half. Casemiro might be 30 and not a great investment for the long term, but there is no denying he’s still world-class today. We all know about his defensive abilities, but against Spurs, he showed us he has a few more tricks up his sleeve. 2 chances created, 2 shots, and 8 passes into the final third. Top 4 will be in sight with performances like these.

Fred’s game by numbers vs. Tottenham Hotspur:

76 touches
23 final third passes
4 ground duels won
3 key passes
3 long balls completed
2 interceptions
1 goal

Gave United the breakthrough. 💥 pic.twitter.com/I8SZ8h9zpY

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) October 19, 2022

Fulham

What a time to be a Fulham fan. Touted as one of the teams many expected to go straight back down, Fulham have more than just proved their doubters wrong. They were purring against Villa, Periera in midfield looks reborn, a familiar face in Willian on the wing with the big man Mitro banging them in up top.

The Cottagers sit comfortably in 9th, 6 points clear of the drop zone. Marco Silva deserves a lot of praise for having put together a defensively solid side that has the ability to score against anyone in the league.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

In the absence of talisman Maddison, KDH picked up the reigns and was instrumental in Leicester’s victory. An assist, 2 chances created, 11 passes into the final third and 10 ball recoveries. A complete midfield performance in a challenging game against Leeds.

This is only their 2nd win of the season and sees them draw level on points with Wolves, whom they face next week. Leeds dominated sections of the game but lacked Leicester’s clinical edge. The Foxes took their chances well in the first half and defended compactly in the second half. A solid 3 points.

Losers

Steven Gerrard

The writing was on the wall. Gerrard’s spell in the Premier League has been cut short as he was asked to resign after his side’s 3-0 loss to Fulham. Reports claimed that he had to take the coach back with the team after being sacked. For all the success he had at Rangers, it just didn’t translate for him in the Premier League.

The club backed him and made some big signings. Yes, some of them have suffered injuries, but quality in the attack alone should ensure at least a mid-table position. Watkins, Ings, Buendia, Coutinho, and Bailey make Aston Villa’s attack one of the best outside the top 6. He lacked a clear philosophy, and his team was stuck trying to do everything and achieving nothing.

Time to regroup and find a new job for Stevie G.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Well, they say you should never go back to your ex, Ronaldo should have listened. His fairytale return to Old Trafford has turned into a complete nightmare. Even the most ardent Ronaldo fans cannot defend this behaviour. Walking out of the dugout, down the tunnel, knowing very well that the world would see this after refusing to come on as a substitute, was absolutely unnecessary.

I feel the performance made him realize that the United starting XI is better off without him in the team, and it was a tough pill to swallow. At 37, Ronaldo is acting petulant and making things about himself, and his behaviour has seen him forced to train alone. The sad thing is that United dominated a big 6 team after ages, putting in a splendid performance, yet it is all the off-field issues taking the limelight. Ronaldo took a big L on this one.

Graham Potter

From the lineup to the performance, all misses for Potter this week. He did try to change things up, giving the likes of Sterling, Auba, and Kovacic a rest ahead of the big game against United. Broja was a bright spot who tried to make things happen and worked tirelessly but barring that there was nothing much to show for from Chelsea’s perspective.

66% possession and 14 shots, yet it was Brentford who created more chances and ended the game with a higher xG. Kepa was once again spectacular and saved Chelsea on multiple occasions, but the attack is still very disjointed. A lot of work to do for Potter and his men if they are to hold onto their top 4 spots, especially with United up next at the Bridge.

Also read: Winners And Losers: Premier League Gameweek 11