Scout Scribbles – Spurs Clinch Final Spot

Christian Eriksen scores twice as Spurs clinch a place in the Capital One Cup final. Yaya Toure and Wilfried Bony are set to miss City’s weekend trip to Chelsea, Senegal are seeking a domestic ban for fit-again Diafra Sakho, whilst Ryan Taylor is close to another comeback for Newcastle.

ERIKSEN AT THE DOUBLE

A Christian Eriksen brace earned Tottenham a place in the Capital One Cup final last night. Mauricio Pochettino made eight changes to his starting XI for the clash with Sheffield United, with Eriksen, Erik Lamela and Mousa Dembele fielded in the attacking midfield spots behind Harry Kane. After firing his side ahead from a free-kick in the first half, Eriksen was put through by Kane late on to notch the equaliser after the Blades had rallied back to 2-1, ensuring that Spurs progressed with a 3-2 aggregate victory come the final whistle.

The Scout Says: Perhaps not a wholly convincing performance from Pochettino’s side but, regardless, all eyes will now be on March 1 when they take on Chelsea at Wembley. Resultantly, their Gameweek 27 trip to QPR will have to be rescheduled, and considering both clubs are already out of the FA Cup, they could, potentially, shift the match to hand them a pair of fixtures as soon as Gameweek 25 or 28, i.e. weekends that have been set aside for FA Cup fixtures. At present, it’s still a tricky schedule coming up before then, though, with Arsenal, Liverpool and West Ham on the agenda in Spurs’ next four, though Eriksen is still likely to earn plenty of attention in the coming weeks, with yesterday’s brace adding to his strike against Sunderland in his last league outing; at 8.2, the Dane now sits fifth in the Fantasy Premier League midfield rankings, and could offer a double-up option with Kane for those backing Spurs to produce across that tough schedule.

TOURE AND BONY TO MISS TO CHELSEA CLASH

A win for Ivory Coast against Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations (ACoN) yesterday ensured that Man City duo Yaya Toure and Wilfried Bony will miss their side’s crucial clash with Chelsea this weekend. The Elephants progressed through to the quarter final stages of the tournament with a 1-0 victory, though Toure’s role in that match could be in doubt after he limped off towards the end of last night’s fixture holding his hamstring, though the midfielder was reported to state post-match that “there is no problem”.

The Scout Says: With City still yet to win a league encounter without Toure in their side this season, yesterday’s news will undoubtedly come as a huge blow to Manuel Pellegrini, considering the Citizens’ current form. A 2-0 defeat to Arsenal at home in their previous league fixture was followed by the same result against Championship outfit Middlesbrough last weekend, and with Saturday evening’s potential title decider against Chelsea now looming, the Blues could really have used the boost of Toure and Bony’s return. With City having scored just once in their last three matches in all competitions, the onus will now be on the likes of David Silva and Sergio Aguero to show their world-class credentials against Jose Mourinho’s men, who have conceded one goal in their last eight home league matches. The form book will need to be written, then, if the Champions are to overcome the current league leaders, though as Bradford demonstrated on Saturday: never say never.

SENEGAL DEMAND SAKHO BAN

Diafra Sakho could face a ban after Senegal’s FA filed an official complaint with FIFA yesterday. The Hammers striker had pulled out of the ACoN with a back complaint only to appear for his club during Sunday’s FA Cup clash against Bristol City. West Ham co-owner David Sullivan was quick to respond to the claims:

‘A top back surgeon said Sakho can’t fly and he still can’t fly, he went by car to Bristol and is going by train to Liverpool. How can we go against medical advice? We are sure any FIFA hearing will vindicate us. The player missed four games as a result of injuries incurred whilst playing for Senegal. We have done nothing untoward.’

The Scout Says: After grabbing the winner in his weekend substitute appearance, Sakho has now notched in each of his last two outings in all competitions for West Ham, and Sam Allardyce’s side are likely to fight their corner when it comes to the forward’s punishment. Reports suggest that Senegal want to see Sakho banned for the next couple of Gameweeks, ensuring that he would remain unavailable for the entirety of the ACoN, though the former Metz man could face an even longer ban depending on how FIFA view the situation. Should he be handed a lengthy absence, Enner Valencia’s first team starts will continue to look secure, though the Hammers’ upcoming schedule should dissuade most from investment right now (liv, MNU, sou, tot).

TAYLOR ON VERGE OF RETURN

Newcastle defender Ryan Taylor has revealed that he is set to make his comeback from a knee injury in two weekends’ time.

The Scout Says: With Hull, Stoke, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace in the Magpies’ next five, investment in their backline – who have failed to register a clean sheet since Gameweek 12 – suddenly doesn’t seem like such a bad idea. Paul Dummett and Massadio Haidara have been utilised at left-back in the Tyneside team’s previous two, though with the former now a doubt for this weekend due to a hamstring problem, there is a chance that Taylor could convince John Carver that he is worthy of a start when he makes his return. With just over 40 minutes of league football under his belt this season, however, it is more likely that he will be eased back into action, and the extra layout for the 5.3-priced Daryl Janmaat still looks the best option for those interested in the Magpies’ rearguard.