The Stock Check – Sunday

Chelsea run riot at the Bridge, dismissing Villa’s recent strong form to sweep them aside with a blue tide of goals. Things don’t come so easy for United who are frustrated at the Liberty, with Michu finding the net yet again to deny them the three points on a bad day at the office for Wayne Rooney…

On the Up

Michu
A thirteenth goal of the season kept Michu’s stock on the rise and maintained his status as a Fantasy “essential”. The Spaniard has proved his consistency and can be backed to score against any defence, either from the striker’s role or up in support. With Reading and Fulham up next, it seems likely that further short-term returns are beckoning.

Fernando Torres
Another game, another goal for the Spaniard as his return to scoring form under Rafa Benitez shows little sign of abating. It’s now seven in the last six in all competitions for Torres – he has now produced attacking returns in each of the last three Gameweeks, his most consistent run of the season.

David Luiz
The Brazilian made his first home start as an out of position prospect, slotting in alongside Frank Lampard in the Chelsea double-pivot. Factor in his superbly executed free-kick for the Blues’ second and Luiz is making a strong case for our Fantasy attentions.

The Chelsea Defence
While the goals continue to flow for the Blues, Benitez’s side have certainly looked more resilient at the back. Today’s result means they have registered three clean sheets in five since the Spaniard has arrived, compared to four in 12 under Roberto Di Matteo. Aside from Luiz’s strike, Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta all produced attacking points from the back, highlighting the potential on offer at the Bridge.

Eden Hazard
A goal and assist in this afternoon’s rout helped the Belgian to an 11 point FPL haul, pre-bonus. This was his first double figure return since Gameweek 2, though with Benitez’s rotation policy likely to kick in over the festive period, Hazard’s owners may be a little apprehensive over his Boxing Day game time after he played the full 90 minutes.

Benitez’s Rotation
Given the contributions of his three substitutes, Rafa Benitez’s decision to remove Juan Mata, Frank Lampard and Fernando Torres in the second-half was more than vindicated. Oscar provided a pair of assists and found the net, Ramires notched twice, while Lucas Piazon supplied an assist before missing a spot-kick – with more players chipping in with attacking returns, rest and rotation looks set to continue.

Going Down

Wayne Rooney
Having looked electric at times in previous matches, returning in his last three outings, today nothing came off the United striker who misplaced passes with regularity. With rotation looking likely over the next two matches, Rooney would seem most likely to make way for either Danny Welbeck or Javier Hernandez when Newcastle visit Old Trafford on Boxing Day. Rooney also moved onto four bookings with today’s yellow, leaving Wedneday’s clash and the meeting with West Brom to navigate in order to avoid a one-match ban.

Robin Van Persie
While the Dutchman kept up his consistent record of returns with the assist for Patrice Evra’s opener, Van Persie suffered a frustrating afternoon which culminated in earning his fourth booking of the season. Like Rooney, he now has to get through the Newcastle and West Brom matches without a caution to avoid a one-match ban.

The United Defence
Reinforced by the return of Nemanja Vidic today, that wasn’t enough to keep Swansea at bay as Michu pounced for Swansea’s leveler. The United back four have kept just three clean sheets this season, with just one in their last eleven league encounters.

The Villa Defence
Paul Lambert’s move to a 3-5-2 seemed to have bolstered the midlands outfit defensively, with just two goals conceded in their previous five heading into this afternoon’s match. Villa now have three home games in the next four to recover, though today’s thrashing is likely to make any would-be investors think twice.