More than 6.7million Fantasy Premier League managers captained Erling Haaland (£14.9m) as he produced three attacking returns in a match for the first time since Gameweek 6 - but his 14-point return will have felt bittersweet for many.
Over 1.1m played their Triple Captain chip on the Norwegian for Manchester City's home match against Leeds United last weekend, a record for any player in a single Gameweek and the second-highest usage of all-time. But Saturday's encounter ended in disappointment, as Haaland blanked for just the fourth time this season.
Imagine their frustration, then, as Haaland scored and supplied two assists in Man City's thrilling 5-4 win at Fulham. Only once this season has he totalled more points in a match.
This wasn't everyone's experience, of course; the 85,507 managers who Triple-Captained him in Gameweek 14 will be over the moon with their decision and the 42 points gained from the chip.
GW14 most Triple-Captained players
| Player | Triple Captained by | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| Haaland | 85,507 | 14 |
| Mateta | 8,253 | 2 |
| B.Fernandes | 6,470 | 4 |
Among the popular differentials, Jean-Philippe Mateta (£8.1m) failed to deliver in Crystal Palace's 1-0 win at Burnley, despite having a couple of shots in the box including a big chance - a situation where a player is expected to score. That's now 19 such opportunities for the Frenchman this season, second only to Haaland among all players.
But while Mateta continues to be presented with good quality openings, his owners will be concerned by his substitution shortly after the 60th minute, especially as it follows on from his withdrawal in the 59th minute in Gameweek 12. In addition to the Premier League, Palace are competing in the EFL Cup and the UEFA Europa Conference League, making December a particularly busy month.
Bruno Fernandes (£9.0m) posted even more impressive underlying stats in Manchester United's 1-1 draw with West Ham United on Thursday, taking a season-high six shots and creating five chances. None of those 11 opportunities led to an attacking return, however, and it's now four successive matches since the Portuguese scored or assisted at Old Trafford.
He at least continues to earn rewards for the defensive side of his game, reaching the required threshold for two additional defensive contribution points for the second time in three home matches.
GW14 most-bought players
| Player | Bought by | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| Timber | 353,851 | 1 |
| Foden | 351,767 | 17 |
| B.Fernandes | 344,528 | 4 |
Fernandes also found himself among the three most-bought players of the Gameweek, snapped up by over 344,000 Fantasy bosses.
He was joined among the top three recruits by Phil Foden (£8.2m), who followed up his 15-point return at the weekend with 17 points at Fulham. Foden added two defensive contribution points to his two goals as he claimed maximum bonus for the second successive match.
Having totalled 32 points across the last two Gameweeks, the in-demand midfielder is the No 1 transfer target for Gameweek 15, bought by 650,000+ managers. Upcoming home matches against Sunderland and West Ham only boost his appeal.
The top recruit for Gameweek 14, however, was Jurrien Timber (£6.4m), bought by 353,000+ managers for Arsenal's home match with Brentford.
It wasn't the outcome they would have been hoping for, however, as the Dutch defender was left out of the starting XI. It's the first match he hasn't started since the opening Gameweek of the season.
He replaced the injured Cristhian Mosquera (£5.4m) shortly before half-time, which meant that - despite Arsenal keeping a clean sheet - he didn't benefit in Fantasy as he played fewer than 60 minutes.