Seamus Coleman limps out of Everton’s draw at West Brom with a hamstring problem. Kevin Mirallas scores in successive league games for the first time this term, Romelu Lukaku scrambles another lucky assist but fails to net once again, whilst Pepe Mel rolls out a 4-4-2 and picks up a point in his first match in charge of the Baggies:
Coleman Concern for Toffees
Roberto Martinez and Fantasy managers alike will be eagerly awaiting injury news after the right-back was withdrawn late on at the Hawthorns due to a hamstring problem. Prior to last night’s match at the Hawthorns, Coleman had played every minute of the season – the top scoring defender in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, he is also the most popular backline option and currently resides in 46% of sides, with Per Mertesacker in second, with an ownership of 30% by comparison. Post-match, Martinez confirmed:
“Seamus felt his hamstring a little bit. We are going to assess him. We are going to be cautious and see what the problem is but it’s not a good sign because Seamus would never want to come off the football pitch. He has been in a terrific moment of form so we will try to get him back on as quick as we can.”
Coleman will now be assessed and, with the Merseyside derby only a week away, will be desperate to retain the Republic of International in his starting line-up. If Coleman is ruled out for the short-term, however, his early adopters face a real dilemma – many acquired him at 5.0 at the start of the season and will be reluctant to sell, given that the current price to purchase has now risen to 6.8.
Mirallas the Toffees Goal Hero
Having found the net in the Toffees’ previous league encounter at home to Norwich, the Belgian was amongst the goals once again last night – the first time this term he has scored in back-to-back Gameweeks. Prior to his visit to the Hawthorns, Mirallas had produced just one assist in 10 away appearances, with almost all of his attacking returns arriving at Goodison – for all the undoubted frustration his acquisition brings, the 7.2-priced midfielder has now racked up five goals and four assists for Roberto Martinez’ team. Amongst midfielders, that brings him into ninth spot in the FPL standings – more than City duo David Silva and Jesus Navas, for example. Whilst his role on the right may be under threat from new boy Aiden McGeady, Mirallas’ eye for goal is still looking crucial for the Merseysiders. He has notched three times over the last seven Gameweeks – a tally matched only by Ross Barkley in the Everton midfield over the course of the entire season.
Lukaku Scoring Woes Continue
Whilst Mirallas’ conversion rate picks up, his compatriot failed to find the net once again. Lukaku’s owners were treated to another somewhat fortuitous assist but his lack of cutting edge in the box shows little sign of improving – last night’s blank means he has scored just once in nine league encounters. In a Gameweek where a number of similarly-priced forwards staked a claim for the coveted third forward slot with impressive displays, Lukaku’s performance may well be the final straw for many Fantasy owners. At present, he is still the second most popular forward in the FPL game but, with the Gameweek 23 deadline a week away and winter wildcards being wielded at pace, he looks set to be sacrificed by many.
Mel Scrapes a Debut Draw
With all of their players owned by less than 3% of FPL managers, the main impact of West Brom’s equaliser – courtesy of stand-in centre-half Diego Lugano – was denying their visitors a tenth clean sheet of the season. As we look for signs of new manager Pepe Mel’s impact and tactical preference, it was intriguing to see the Baggies line up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Nicolas Anelka partnered by Matej Vydra up front – those eyeing up budget option Saido Berahino will be disappointed that the youngster was only utilised as a late sub. Elsewhere, Steven Reid was preferred to Billy Jones at right-back, whilst Mel also handed Chris Brunt and Zoltan Gera the wide roles – Stephane Sessegnon and Morgan Amalfitano continue to look peripheral figures in the Baggies’ set-up and currently look unlikely to benefit from the change of manager.
