Scout Notes – Gameweek 37 – Sunday

Yaya Toure scores twice as City get the better of Swansea at the Liberty. Gylfi Sigurdsson and fit-again Bafetimbi Gomis are amongst the goals for the home side. Elsewhere, Arsenal take a step closer to securing third spot with a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

Toure double downs Swans

Having been recalled to the side in place of Fernando, Yaya Toure bagged a brace as Manchester City recorded a 4-2 win over Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium. Three goals in five starts have served to reaffirm Toure’s status as a Fantasy big-hitter, following a disappointing few months (one goal in eight starts) for the Ivorian midfielder. With a home tie against Southampton – who’ve carded four successive defeats on the road – next on the Sky Blues’ agenda, Toure (10.7) could well be an enticing differential for those managers searching for an edge on the final day. Elsewhere in the City camp, James Milner netted for the second match in succession, while Wilfried Bony came off the bench and cemented all three points with a goal in the 92^nd minute against his former club.

Sergio Aguero delivered attacking returns for the sixth consecutive Gameweek, supplying the assist for Milner’s strike. The Argentine failed to grace the scoresheet for the first time in six starts – although City continued with a lone forward set-up, he chalked up just one shot inside the box.

David Siva notched two assists for the second match running, boosting his tally to one goal and five assists in three starts since being sold by over 230,000 FPL managers in Gameweek 34 due to Chelsea’s double. Only Jason Puncheon and Stewart Downing (both five) mustered more attempts at goal than the Spanish playmaker (four) over the weekend – although Silva attempted all of these from inside the box (a league high).

The main point of note from Manchester City’s perspective is their effervescent attack. Manuel Pellegrini’s men have notched 18 goals in their previous six outings, recording three clean sheets in the process. Aguero and Silva naturally look undroppable for the last weekend, while the likes of Milner – who ranks second among all midfielders this Gameweek in terms of penalty box touches (12) – is strengthening his case for inclusion.

Gomis and Sigurdsson in the points

After falling 2-0 down within 36 minutes, the Swans mounted a valiant comeback and pegged the scoreline back to 2-2, by way of goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson and Bafetimbi Gomis. The former is enjoying a strong finish to the season (two goals and one assist in four starts), while the latter picked up where he left off before succumbing to a hamstring injury in Gameweek 32, carding five goals in as many appearances. The 6.5-priced Gomis finally looks up to the job of filling the void left upon Bony’s decampment and will be one to watch across the Fantasy games next season.

Swansea’s strong showing against the 2013/14 Premier League champions was indicative of their recent form. Garry Monk’s charges chalked up three successive victories prior to Sunday, which included two wins on their travels (Newcastle United and Arsenal). The Welsh club’s Gameweek 38 opponents – Crystal Palace – are fresh off a 3-1 victory over Liverpool, yet the fact the Eagles lost their last three home ties will spur on Monk’s men. As such, the modestly priced Gomis and Sigurdsson could well attract some late investment as managers fine-tune their squads.

Herrera volley not enough for United

Ander Herrera netted his sixth goal of the season and third in seven starts as Manchester United were held to a 1-1 home draw by Arsenal. The hosts enjoyed the lead until the 82nd minute, before a deflected Theo Walcott cross wrong-footed stand-in shot-stopper Victor Valdes and pulled the visitors level.

Ashley Young tallied his third assist in two matches and fifth in the previous six. In Angel Di Maria’s absence, the former Aston Villa man has evolved into one of their chief creative sparks, delivering a strong return on his budget 5.0 price tag. The exploits of Young and Herrera this Gameweek highlighted how difficult it’s been to pinpoint the best option in the United midfield of late, with attacking returns distributed fairly evenly in the centre of the park.

David De Gea was forced off with an injury 17 minutes before the final whistle, rendering him a doubt for their trip to Hull. Considering that Valdes’ earned his first minutes in a United strip on Sunday, the ex-Barca keeper will naturally be rusty, providing a boost to the Tigers’ hopes of survival.

Gunners rescued by Blackett own goal

Although Arsenal will doubtless feel content at salvaging a point late on at Old Trafford, Fantasy managers who chased the Gunners double Gameweek were left exasperated by the poverty of returns at both ends of the pitch. The 230,000 managers who invested in the Gunners’ defensive starters over the last three weeks watched their clean sheet evaporate within the half hour, while Arsenal’s attack conspired to offer the least goal threat (five attempts) of any side this Gameweek.

Olivier Giroud extended his barren spell to five matches, having failed to force a meaningful save out of David Gea with his two strikes at goal. Meanwhile, the midfield starters managed just two shots on target between them.

Arsene Wenger named the same XI for the sixth game running, but that streak could be set to be terminated after he hinted that “Everyone will be tested this week” due to the club’s upcoming matches against Sunderland and West Brom.

With the Gunners still needing a win to clinch third spot, though, it remains to be seen whether Wenger will roll out many changes for the midweek clash with the Black Cats. If Arsenal get the better of Sunderland, though, their manager may well make alterations against the Baggies with one eye on the upcoming FA Cup final.