Notes From Europe – Ecstasy For Owen, Agony For Essien

A hat-trick from Owen keeps Wolfsburg from the door for United but it doesn’t look likely to earn the World Cup hopeful a league start. Ferguson has reportedly confirmed that Rooney and Berbatov are fit for Villa’s visit this weekend.

Over at Stamford Bridge meanwhile, Apoel had the cheek to score a couple of goals. Essien stole their column inches however, first by scoring another 25-yard effort and then by limping off with a worrying hamstring injury…

United’s passage into the last sixteen was eased by Owen’s hat-trick – offering a timely nod to Capello. Nani laid on the first for Owen, his replacement Obertan provided the second with more impressive wing play. Owen helped himself to the third late on.

Ferguson’s lineup saw Carrick, Fletcher and Evra form a defensive trio in front of Kuszczak. It’s very unlikely that this will have a bearing on United’s next lineup in the league. As mentioned earlier in the week, Ferguson is still hopeful that both Vidic and Brown will make returns when Villa roll up to Old Trafford this weekend.

Giggs was rested here, while Valencia was also spared on the bench for the majority of the game. That would suggest that both will start against Villa. Gibson has a chance of keeping a starting role, given that Scholes will miss out through suspension. As for the striker situation – Owen has certainly done enough to hand him a start against Villa but it looks unlikely. Both Rooney and Berbatov were doubts according to Ferguson earlier in the week. Now he suggests that they will both be miraculously available…

“We expect Nemanja Vidic to be fit for Saturday’s game…Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov will both be fit, as will Ryan Giggs.”

The cynic in me is wondering whether the injuries were just a smokescreen to justify resting key players with a Champions League place at stake for Wolfsburg and CSKA. It’s certainly looking that way.

The injury to Michael Essien dominates the evening at Stamford Bridge. Essien got on the scoresheet in the 2-2 draw but limped off clutching his hamstring and could now face a prolonged spell on the sidelines. He is already out of the weekend clash with Everton.

Drogba and Essien were the scorers on the night, but Chelsea were careless in handing Apoel a late equaliser after dominating for long periods. Zhirkov and Joe Cole caught the eye, as did youngsters Borini and Kakuta, making his full debut tonight.

Ancelotti’s team-sheet showed a strong central defence of Carvalho and Terry in front of reserve keeper Turnbull. Cech was rested then, along with Ivanovic and Ashley Cole – all three will surely return when Moyes’ men visit. Belletti and Zhirkov came in last night. Lampard was also rested, up until Essien’s injury, along with the likes of Anelka, Ballack and Deco. Joe Cole started behind Drogba, hinting that he’ll be back on the bench against Everton, despite his performance tonight.

Essien’s injury is a blow and we can only await the full prognosis. Ancelotti didn’t have too much to say on the injury, but confirmed that we can expect scan results in the next few days…

“He has a problem with his leg, we have to look the next days and we will do a check tomorrow I think,’ the manager said. ‘We hope that it is not a big problem, but he is not available for Saturday.”

Essien has proved to be a popular fantasy signing in recent weeks – the two goal haul against Wolves in gameweek 13 proving to be a catalyst for increased interest. There’s likely to be plenty of disappointed fantasy managers waking to this news on Wednesday morning then, although there are good options in Essien’s price bracket available as replacements. United’s Giggs and Bolton’s Taylor spring to mind immediately, while Villa’s Milner is also likely to get some further attention. The Watchlist provides my view on him and the other candidates mentioned.