As we roll into match week 8 of the Premier League, it’s time to shine a light on the best and worst finishers of the season so far, according to the all-important G-xG metric. For those unfamiliar, G-xG measures the difference between goals scored (G) and expected goals (xG), giving us a sense of who’s converting chances and who’s letting golden opportunities slip through their fingers.
Kicking things off on the positive side, Erling Haaland has proven once again that he’s a goal-scoring machine. Leading the charts with the highest G-xG, he’s turning chances into goals with the kind of ruthless efficiency that makes defenders break into a sweat just thinking about it. Bryan Mbeumo and Liam Delap aren’t far behind, making their mark as unexpected sharpshooters this season. And let’s give some love to Dwight McNeil, who’s found his rhythm for Everton, showing that his left foot can be just as lethal as it is creative.
But football’s a game of highs and lows, and some players have hit a bit of a slump in front of goal. Bruno Fernandes finds himself topping the list of underperformers, with more misses than a nervous first date. And it’s not just him—Adama Traore and Eberechi Eze are struggling to convert chances, despite being in great positions. These guys are like artists who’ve lost their brushes—creating the canvas but failing to finish the masterpiece.
This blend of clinical finishers and wayward shooters shows just how unpredictable the Premier League can be. One week you’re the hero, the next you’re the player your teammates give side-eye to after a missed sitter. It’ll be fascinating to see if these trends continue as the season unfolds, or if some of these players can turn their fortunes around and start hitting the back of the net with more consistency. For now, though, Haaland and Mbeumo are setting the standard, while Fernandes and Co. are left wondering how to turn their xG into reality.