Scout Notes – Gameweek 37 – Sunday

Daniel Sturridge bags a hat-trick as Liverpool overcome Fulham at the Cottage. Clint Dempsey and Emmanuel Adebayor help Spurs edge past Stoke at the Britannia, Kevin Mirallas notches twice in David Moyes’ last home match in charge of Everton, Robert Snodgrass steers Norwich to survival, while Robin Van Persie assists both United goals as Sir Alex Ferguson’s last game at Old Trafford ends with a late victory.

Sturridge and Coutinho Run Riot
After last week’s blank in the Merseyside derby, Daniel Sturridge returned to form in spectacular style as Liverpool overcame Fulham at the Cottage. Brendan Rodgers started with a 3-5-2 formation, handing Philippe Coutinho the role in “the hole” behind the former Chelsea man and watched on as the pair racked up the points between them. Sturridge’s superb hat-trick means he now produced 10 goals and five assists in just 13 league appearances since moving to Anfield in January and with a home clash against QPR next up, many will be handing him the armband for the final Gameweek of the season. A pair of assists for Coutinho was the fifth time in six away games the Brazilian has produced attacking returns for the Reds since arriving from Inter in the winter window – his consistency will earn him a place on many a Watchlist over the summer after producing two goals and seven assists in 11 starts for the Reds.

Not surprisingly, it was Sturridge who drew praise from his manager post-match, with Rodgers stressing again that he can work in tandem with Luis Suarez…

“He [Sturridge] can get goals in any game, he’s a wonderful talent. He’s 23 and I just felt he needed the platform to show what he can do…It was always going to be difficult for him at Chelsea. They had Didier Drogba and he was one of the best in the game. He needed a run of games and he’s got that with us. People have said that he is stepping in really well for Luis, but I didn’t bring him in to be a substitute. I brought him in to play at Liverpool because I believe he can get goals. What we have seen without Luis is that we’ve still got goals in the team.”

Rodgers’ switch of formation proved hugely frustrating for Jose Enrique owners, though. The Spaniard was omitted from the starting XI for the first time since Gameweek 24 as Stewart Downing took up the left wing-back role – Enrique was subbed on after the break to deliver a mere one point return. In a week that has seen the likes of Pablo Zabaleta suspended for City’s trip to Reading and David Luiz afforded just 45 minutes by Rafa Benitez, those who have snapped up some of the premium priced backline options have failed to see their investment rewarded. After the game, Rodgers explained the reason behind his tinkering:

“We took today to experiment in the first half. We played 3-5-2 and at times it worked okay, other times it didn’t. That’s the learning for us from today but we planned to flip it at half-time into a structure they were comfortable with.”

Spurs No One Man Team
While Gareth Bale delivered back-to-back blanks for the first time since Gameweek 23, Spurs had a couple of last season’s main Fantasy campaigners to thanks as they came from behind to clinch victory at the Britannia. Clint Dempsey had a hand in both the visitors’ strikes, with a goal and assist helping the US international to a second double figure haul in his last four starts, while Emmanuel Adebayor notched in back-to-back matches for the first time this season, having also found the net at Stamford Bridge in midweek. Handed a spot in this week’s Spot the Differential article, the Togo international has now produced three goals and a pair of assists in his last four starts and looks a real option for next week’s final round of matches at home to Sunderland.

Both Dempsey and Adebayor will go into the final encounter as strong differential options; Dempsey’s start in that one would surely seem assured following the post-match comments of Andre Villas-Boas…

“It was an amazing game from Clint Dempsey. He has the instincts of a deadly striker. Today he scored and assisted Emmanuel Adebayor for his goal. It was a great performance by him. He is a player who deserves a lot of credit.”

Mirallas At the Double
David Moyes’ final game at Goodison saw Everton win for the sixth successive time in front of their own fans thanks to a pair of goals from Kevin Mirallas. Handed a place on the Scout Picks bench, the Belgian had scored or assisted in four oF his previous six appearances in front of the Merseyside faithful and maintained that form yesterday, delivering his highest FPL haul of the season against the Hammers. As the campaign has unfolded, Marouane Fellaini has toiled for the Toffees but his compatriot goes from strength to strength in his debut season on Merseyside – his FPL classification as a forward has proved a major deterrent but if he is listed as a midfielder next term, many will be looking at Mirallas as a potential mid-price option.

Everton Stand Firm
The 2-0 win over Sam Allardyce’s side continued a superb run of form which has now delivered seven clean sheets in the last nine Gameweeks for the Toffees. Leighton Baines is now up to 176 points in FPL – only two less than his best ever haul, with a trip to Chelsea in Moyes’ last ever game in charge still to follow. While Everton’s displays at the back have afforded mid-price options such as Sylvain Distin the chance to surge up the defender standings in recent games, Moyes’ departure is likely to see many reassess investing in the Everton backline next term.

Johnson Purrs Again
Handed a place on the Scout Picks bench, Adam Johnson played a part in the goal that puts Sunderland on the verge of safety. The former City man supplied the assist for Phil Bardsley’s strike in the 1-1 draw against Southampton that leaves the Black Cats four points ahead of Wigan – the Latics must now win both their remaining matches in order to beat the drop. Johnson started the game in “the hole” behind Danny Graham but a shift in formation at half-time saw Connor Wickham moved up front as Paolo Di Canio opted for a 4-4-2, with Johnson moving to the left flank. If Wigan fail to win at Arsenal on Tuesday, Sunderland are safe for another season – such a scenario would be a huge relief for the Black Cats, given they travel to Spurs on the final day of the season.

Ben Arfa Leads Magpies to Safety
We’d highlighted him in a couple of articles last weekend and the Newcastle winger vindicated our show of faith with a vital goal at Loftus Road. Ben Arfa started in the support role just behind Papiss Cisse last week but was moved to the right flank for the trip to QPR, with Alan Pardew shifting Yoan Gouffran to a central position behind the Senegal striker. Both Frenchmen were vital as the visitors clawed back a one-goal deficit to register their second away win of the season – Ben Arfa bagged the equaliser from the spot after Loic Remy had handed the hosts the lead, and Gouffran grabbed the winner as the Tyneside team clinched survival with one match to spare. With a home game against Arsenal to see out the season, the Magpies can at least enjoy a pressure-free occasion as a hugely underwhelming season draws to a close.

Snodgrass Remains Key for Canaries
Norwich’s chief Fantasy asset proved vital yet again as Chris Hughton’s side ensured their survival with a comprehensive thrashing of West Brom. Having fielded a 3-5-2 at City in midweek, Steve Clarke started with a 4-3-3 before shifting to a 4-4-2 after the break but regardless of formation, his side were simply no match for the Canaries. Snodgrass delivered a goal and assist in the 4-0 rout and has now returned six goals, eight assists and 23 bonus points for the season – a FPL haul of 147 points places him in ninth spot for the season in terms of midfielders. Considering he is almost 50 points ahead of any Norwich midfielder or attacker, it’s fair to say he’s been fundamental to the Canaries’ since arriving from Leeds last summer.

Norwich Home Resilience
Mark Bunn’s run of games between the sticks came to an end yesterday as Chris Hughton turned to John Ruddy for the Baggies clash. Back in the side for the first time since picking up a thigh injury in Gameweek 13, Ruddy defied Romelu Lukaku and co to help the Canaries to their first clean sheet in eight attempts. This was the ninth time Hughton’s side have kept out their opponents this term and with seven of those occasions occurring at home, Ruddy looks a decent shout as part of a keeper rotation pair for the following season when the new set of fixtures are released over the summer.

Van Persie Drops Deep
With Wayne Rooney omitted from the United squad altogether, Robin Van Persie was partnered by Javier Hernandez for Sir Alex Ferguson’s final match in charge at Old Trafford. The former Arsenal man was utilised in a slightly more withdrawn role than usual, with the little Mexican playing on the shoulder of the last defender instead but Van Persie still managed to produce the points yet again, with a pair of assists ensuring Ferguson was afforded plenty to cheer about. Ferguson confirmed post-match that Rooney had been overlooked for yesterday’s win after submitting a transfer request – with the former Everton man looking likely to remain on the sidelines for next Sunday’s trip to West Brom, then, there’s every chance Van Persie could be retained in a similar role for the Hawthorns showdown.

“I don’t think Wayne was keen to play, simply because he has asked for a transfer…I think he wants to think it through in his mind and I think that is a good idea. We have refused it. I think he should go away and think about it again, but it’s not my decision now.”

Michu Recovers to Punish Us
Subbed off in last weekend’s home draw against City with a hamstring injury, the Spaniard’s chances of playing again this season were all but over, according to Michael Laudrup. Having also missed the midweek trip to Wigan, Michu was sold by over 266,000 FPL managers in the lead up to the weekend deadline, only for Laudrup to do an about-turn on Friday and hint at his possible involvement at Old Trafford. Fully recovered, he took his place in the Swansea XI to spoil the home clean sheet by notching against United for the second time this term – with a home game against Fulham to see out the season, he’s another real armband option that could well make the difference in mini leagues for next Sunday’s final Gameweek. It’s worth noting that Michu was replaced on 73 minutes by Angel Rangel – the latter was comprehensively ruled out of the United clash by Laudrup on Friday only to recover; clearly, the Swans manager’s injury updates may not be 100% reliable. Staying with the Swansea full-backs, reports suggest Ben Davies was moved to the bench at Old Trafford, allowing Neil Taylor to make his first start since Gameweek 3, due to fitness concerns.