Sunderland seal a crucial win over Reading to drag themselves out of the drop zone. James McClean and Steven Fletcher grab the first-half goals, while Stephane Sessegnon leaves his Fantasy owners frantic before finally slotting home a late third.
On the Up
Stephane Sessegnon
Over 68,000 FPL managers drafted in the Benin international prior to the double Gameweek deadline – Steven Fletcher, Adam Johnson and James McClean had a combined tally of around 36,000. With seconds to go, we were cursing our luck as it seemed he was to disappoint but Sessegnon duly delivered to put a smile on plenty Fantasy managers’ faces. With United, City, Spurs and Liverpool in his next five, though, many will be already planning an exit.
Steven Fletcher
Martin O’Neill was particularly cagey over the forward’s chances of starting tonight after his recent ankle injury. Fletcher missed out against Chelsea at the weekend but managed to shrug off the problem to notch his seventh strike of the season. Now up to 74 points in FPL, he’s ahead of the likes of Wayne Rooney but the above-mentioned run of upcoming fixtures is likely to deter many more from investing.
Adam Johnson
The former City man benefitted from an “FPL” assist earlier this evening. A corner from Johnson was cleared by the visitors defence but only as far as James McClean – the winger’s converted attempt boosted his fellow wide man’s double Gameweek haul. Johnson has now produced attacking returns in five of his last seven appearances, though his owners were denied the chance of further points after he was subbed off at half-time with a leg problem.
James McClean
Prior to the double Gameweek, the winger had managed a single assist all season and had started just two of Sunderland’s previous six. Having provided an assist for Adam Johnson’s consolation against Chelsea at the weekend, he needed just one minute to open his account for the season and suggest he’s starting to come into form after a poor first half of the campaign.
Going Down
Kaspars Gorkss
As expected, Sean Morrison failed to recover from the ankle injury sustained against Southampton last weekend. Surprisingly, though, it was Alex Pearce who was given the nod to start alongside Adrian Mariappa, suggesting the Latvian has slipped even further down the pecking order for a spot at centre-half.
Phil Bardsley
Having started the previous six, his place at right-back seemed assured since recovering from a hamstring injury. It was something of a surprise, then, to see Bardsley dropped to the bench, with Craig Gardner preferred at right-back instead. He came on after the break to replace the injured Johnson but lasted just 31 minutes before limping off injured.
Sunderland Injuries
Martin O’Neill has plenty concerns ahead of the weekend trip to United. Danny Rose joined Johnson and Bardsley in limping off – in a defensive reshuffle, Carlos Cuellar finished the match at right-back as Titus Bramble entered the fray at centre-half. If the injuries are carried into the weekend, Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney owners will be even more confident of returns.
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