Why Fernandes got an FPL assist in GW31 - and why Mamardashvili didn’t

Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes was credited with a Fantasy assist for the own goal scored by AFC Bournemouth defender James Hill in Friday’s 2-2 draw at Vitality Stadium. The goal came from a corner swung in by Fernandes, which took a touch off the head of Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi before hitting the unfortunate Hill and flying into the net. After review, the Fantasy assist was awarded to Fernandes because his cross was followed by just a single defensive touch – from Senesi – before reaching the goalscorer Hill. Watch Hill's own goalThis is an example of the application of new rules for Fantasy assists that were introduced for the 2025/26 season. The 2025/26 rules state: “The intended target or destination of a pass will no longer matter and a Fantasy assist WILL be awarded when the following two criteria are fulfilled:- The goalscorer receives the ball inside the penalty box- There is only one defensive touch before the ball reaches the goalscorer” See: The new Fantasy rules introduced for 2025/26 These rules apply to own goals as well as regular goals. In this case, the goalscorer was Hill, but the result would have been the same if Man Utd’s Harry Maguire – who was close by – had scored the goal instead. To underline the point, the assist rules also state: “If an own goal is scored following a deflected pass, an assist is awarded.” Why Mamardashvili didn't get a Fantasy assist Another element of the new 2025/26 assists rules came into play in Saturday’s encounter between Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool at the Amex Stadium. Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili did NOT receive a Fantasy assist when his long pass took one defensive touch off Brighton’s Lewis Dunk before Milos Kerkez scored. No assist was awarded because Dunk’s defensive touch was deemed to be a pass attempt and, as outlined in the assist rules, “No assist will be awarded if the pass receives two or more defensive touches or if the defensive touch is a pass.” Watch Kerkez's goalIn previous seasons, if a player played a pass that was followed by ANY unforced defensive error, the error ruled out a Fantasy assist. But that was often a subjective decision. So now, a failed pass attempt is the only defensive error that cancels out an assist. This particular type of defensive error continues to rule out a Fantasy assist because an underhit or misdirected backpass by the defending team tends to contribute far more to a goal than the pass that preceded it.