2018/19 Co-Ord Round-up Part Eight - 1st-4th

1st: Fred West Landscape Gardening XI (up one place on last season)
A second title in three years for Fred who ran out winners by a comfortable four points. The Gardeners took the lead in week seven and apart from a three week wobble held it through to the finish. Mo Salah led the line again but their were also valuable contributions from Eden Hazard and Cesar Azpilicueta plus timely ones from the likes of Lucas Moura and Salomon Rondon. They'll be the team to catch again, but will it be without Hazard?
What happened to last year's Star Player? Mo Salah didn't seem quite as on the pace but was still Fred's main man.

Star Player: Mo Salah (20 goals)

2nd: Aardvark Abacus (up one place)
The Aardvarks followed up last year's FA Cup win with a first Charity Shield triumph and gave Fred a scare towards the end of the season with a 13-game unbeaten run. Alexandre Lacazette and Son Heung-Min provided goals, Diogo Jota was a great addition but Ady's team has strong defensive foundations. That could be tested next year with Vincent Kompany departed and question marks about Kieran Trippier's future.
What happened to last year's Star Player? Nacho Monreal was injured in the autumn and never quite nailed down a regular starting place after that.

Star Player: Jordan Pickford (12 cleans, two saved penalties)

3rd: Athletico Phoenix (up eight places)
The Phoenix were another team who made a poor start this season. Nine points after ten games and only the Artisans beneath them gave no clue as to what was to happen next. There were only three more defeats but a few draws denied Brian the chance of the top prize. Virgil van Dijk and Harry Maguire inspired the team from the back, Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse have lit up the midfield but Fred, Gonzalo Higuain and Anthony Martial have largely been big money flops
What happened to last year's Star Player? Jan Vertonghen missed a chunk of the season with a hamstring injury.

Star Player: Virgil van Dijk (four goals, 19 cleans)

4th: Real Muppets (same place)
A third straight top four finish for Ryan but there were too many defeats (13) for a proper tilt at the title. There are some proper players in this team, Ederson, Raheem Sterling, Sadio Mane, Kevin De Bruyne and the more unsung Luka Milivojevic. Like a lot of teams the final piece might be a 15+ goals a season striker. Outside of that the boss isn't really one for too much tinkering with the line-up.
What happened to last year's Star Player? Ederson took a share of the award this time too.

Star Players: Sadio Mane (19 goals) and Ederson (19 cleans)