Scout Notes – Gameweek 2 – Monday

Stevan Jovetic bags a brace as City ease past Liverpool 3-1. Sergio Aguero emerges from the bench to score once again, with a Pablo Zabaleta own goal denying the hosts a second clean sheet of the season.

Jovetic at the Double
The City striker proved a deadly differential in last night’s encounter with Liverpool by bagging a brace in the 3-1 win. Sold by over 24,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers last week, Jovetic sat in less than 5% of Fantasy teams as the Reds rolled up to the Etihad but, handed a start alongside Edin Dzeko once again, he rediscovered the form that saw him net five times in pre-season and delivered a 13-point return for his owners.

Now down to 7.9 in FPL, Jovetic seems in the driving seat to retain a starting berth at home to Stoke next weekend and arguably has the platform to edge ahead of Dzeko in the pecking order. The latter was forced off with a leg problem midway through the second period, though Manuel Pellegrini was optimistic of his chances after the match:

“Edin had a kick that gave him some trouble with his leg but I don’t think it is anything important. We will see tomorrow but I think he will be okay.”

Quick-Fire Aguero Nets Again
Once again, the Argentine demonstrated that he needs little time to make an impact for City. Having netted just seven minutes into his substitute appearance at Newcastle last week, Aguero scored 23 seconds after climbing off the bench to breach the Liverpool backline and bring him onto Fantasy radars ahead of the home clash against Stoke. Granted, Manuel Pellegrini’s team sheets underline he’s clearly determined to protect Aguero as he returns to match sharpness, but if Dzeko fails to recover, the little Argentine could be let loose against the Potters.

Kolarov the fall-guy
Despite putting in a strong attacking display in the clean sheet at Newcastle, it was Aleks Kolarov who was sacrificed for Pablo Zabaleta’s return to the starting XI. Gael Clichy switched to his preferred left-back role, leaving Kolarov on the bench as an unused sub. With Bacary Sagna also now an option for Pellegrini, the full-back situation is looking complex and difficult to read. Secure investment in the City back four looks limited to Joe Hart and Vincent Kompany once again, then.

Reds Unconvincing in Etihad Loss
A late own goal by Pablo Zabaleta was all the Reds had to show for last night’s display. Coming off the back of a narrow home win over Southampton, there are signs that Liverpool may take some time to adjust to life without Luis Suarez. The late introduction of Rickie Lambert suggests the former Southampton man will be no more than Brendan Rodgers’ “Plan B” in the latter part of matches, though Raheem Sterling owners will be a little concerned that the youngster’s minutes were curtailed to allow Lambert pitch time.

In defence, Rodgers has concerns over full-backs Glen Johnson and Albert Moreno who picked up injuries. The former was forced out of the action due to a thigh problem, whilst the Spaniard picked up a sprained ankle on his debut. With a trip to Spurs up next, the Reds defence looks unlikely to chalk up their first shut-out of the season in light of last night’s display, though the schedule does improve significantly from Gameweek 4 onwards.