Gameweek 2 raised the standard. This week's Perfect Line Up scored 183 points, led by Bruno Fernandes on 26 and João Pedro on 21. Eight clubs are represented, with match-winners, creators, a stoppage-time hero and defenders who scored heavily without keeping a clean sheet.
The XI captures what Balanced scoring is meant to reward. Goals and assists remain decisive, but saves, chances created, tackles and interceptions gave several players a second route to points. The result is a team shaped by the whole Gameweek rather than one dominant match.
Fernandes drives United's response
Manchester United needed a reaction after losing their opener and Bruno Fernandes delivered it. Ipswich took the lead at Old Trafford, but United recovered to win 5-2 as their captain scored a hat-trick. TFF's data also credits him with an assist, taking his Gameweek score to a clear round-high 26 points.
The return was backed by volume. Fernandes took eight shots, put three on target and created three chances, while also adding two tackles. He now has 31 points after two Gameweeks, but the more useful signal is that United's attack still runs through his shooting and creation. When the team improves, his ceiling rises quickly.
City and Chelsea fill the attacking places
Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden combined as Manchester City won 4-1 at Crystal Palace. Cherki scored twice from three shots on target and created three chances, producing 16.5 points. Foden supplied two assists and created three chances of his own for 15.5. Cherki already has two goals, two assists and 29 points through two appearances, making his role difficult to dismiss as an opening-week curiosity.
Chelsea's 4-3 win over Brighton supplied another pair. João Pedro scored, assisted and also put through his own net, yet five shots and two created chances helped him reach 21 points despite that mistake. Morgan Rogers assisted Pedro Neto and created four chances for 15.5. Chelsea have conceded five goals in two matches, but Pedro and Rogers keep finding several ways to contribute in an attack producing chances at speed.
Calafiori and Saka find the decisive moment
Arsenal were not at their most fluent at Aston Villa, but one well-built move was enough. Riccardo Calafiori reached the box and squared for Bukayo Saka to score the only goal, giving Calafiori 13 points and Saka 16. Arsenal also secured the clean sheet as Villa failed to register a shot on target.
Calafiori now has two assists from his first two league appearances, while Saka has scored in both Gameweeks. Saka's two tackles and two interceptions added another layer to his total, but his repeatable value remains clear: he is still the player Arsenal trust to finish their best attacks. Calafiori's forward movement is the more interesting early development to monitor.
A draw rewards both sides of the defence
James Tarkowski looked set to leave Bournemouth with little fantasy reward until he struck Everton's equaliser in stoppage time. His goal, three tackles and three interceptions produced 17 points. It was a dramatic route into the XI, but the defensive work matters because centre-back goals cannot be forecast every week.
James Hill matched Tarkowski's 17 points from the other side of the 1-1 draw without scoring or assisting. The Bournemouth defender created two chances, made three tackles and recorded three interceptions. That contrast is Balanced scoring in one match: Tarkowski delivered the headline moment, while Hill accumulated points through involvement across the 90 minutes.
Hornicek and Xhaka reward control
Lukas Hornicek made four saves as Newcastle won 2-0 at Tottenham, earning his first league clean sheet and 11 points. He has made nine saves across his first two appearances, so the early appeal is not based on shutouts alone. Newcastle may still give opponents opportunities, but their new goalkeeper has shown he can turn that workload into points.
Granit Xhaka completes the XI after creating four chances in Sunderland's 1-0 win over Fulham. He finished without a goal or assist but still scored 14.5 points, reflecting his control of the match before Sunderland found the winner. After two Gameweeks, the biggest lesson is already familiar: follow the actions behind the total, not only the final return. See how they are rewarded in TFF's scoring formats.
Who would be the first player you add from this XI?
