Mesut Ozil’s languid brilliance makes the difference as the Gunners ease to the top of the table. Spurs keep up the pursuit as Kane turns provider at Vicarage Road, while Romelu Lukaku’s relentless run of goals again fails to claim the points as Everton’s back four is exposed by Marko Arnautovic and the effervescent Stoke attack. Here’s the notes on Monday’s matches…
Ozil Dazzles In Gunners Win
Arsenal rebounded from their heavy defeat at Southampton with 2-0 win over Bournemouth in an efficient Emirates display. Mesut Ozil was, once again, the standout performer, complementing his customary assist with his third league goal of the campaign.
Ozil’s sixth double figure haul of the season was well timed given his position at the top of our Captain Poll heading into the Gameweek.
The 10.0-priced German currently sits at a hefty 53% ownership, which is certain to go on rising ahead of the home encounter with an obliging Newcastle defence in Gameweek 20. Once again, Ozil seems destined to rank very highly in the list of captain candidates as a result of his staggering consistency and Arsenal’s attacking potential.
Elsewhere, Olivier Giroud came up short on the goal front but did supply the ammunition for Ozil’s 63rd-minute strike, ensuring that he’s recorded returns in eight of his last 11 league appearances. Although the France international has accrued 10 goals so far this season, it’s worth noting that he’s yet to post a score in excess of eight points.
At the back, Arsene Wenger rested Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal, drafting Kieran Gibbs and Gabriel into the starting XI. The Arsenal defence recorded just their second clean sheet in eight league matches against the Cherries, although both Koscielny and Monreal look assured of a recall for Gameweek 20, despite Gabriel’s well taken header for Arsenal’s opener.
Shaqiri & Arnautovic Dismantle Everton
Stoke City emerged triumphant in a 4-3 thriller at Goodison Park, propelling them into the top half of the table. Xherdan Shaqiri earned his first goals of the season with a brace against the Toffees, marking just the third time this term that he’s delivered attacking returns. Although the Switzerland international has impressed of late, prospective investors will be wary that this flourish of points is a rarity.
Priced 0.3 below Shaqiri (6.6), Marko Arnautovic (6.3) is undisputedly the prime pick among Stoke’s midfield contingent, having chalked up one goal (penalty) and two assists to complement his strike against Manchester United.
Nestled in our Scout Picks lineup for the Gameweek, the Austrian took his tally to four goals and two assists in five outings following his Goodsion Park haul, rendering him a tantalising selection ahead of two favourable head-to-heads (wha, NOR).
Only Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez sits above Arnautovic in the FPL value rankings and, having claimed 70,000 new owners at the time of writing, no other player in the FPL had attracted more transfers overnight than the Austrian.
Elsewhere in the Potters’ camp, Bojan Krkic (5.1) reaffirmed his viability as a budget third forward with an assist, while Joselu came off the bench to bag his maiden goal of the campaign.
Bojan has notched two goals and assists since being pushed up to the lone-striker berth and with Stoke’s attacking form so strong, Mark Hughes would seem unlikely to rework the current setup and revert Bojan back to a number ten role.
Hughes in-form outfit will travel to the Hawthorns next for a reunion with Tony Pulis. It should be noted that, despite their clean sheet against Newcastle this weekend, West Brom have conceded 16 goals at home – only Everton have allowed more (19). Stoke then host Norwich City – a side with just two shut-outs all season.
Toffees Defence Comes Unstuck Once Again
Yet again, the efforts of Romelu Lukaku were not enough for Everton to claim the points, as Roberto Martinez’ rearguard capitulated under the pressure from a vibrant Stoke attack.
Lukaku boosted his tally to 15 for the season and now lays claim to 10 goals in nine starts. Although Everton’s schedule offers up a trio of challenging match-ups (TOT, mic, che) in the coming weeks, Lukuku appears capable of punishing any calibre of opposition on current form.
Much to the ire of 17,000 Fantasy managers that shipped him out prior to this round of fixtures, Gerard Deulofeu popped up with his second goal of the season. Notwithstanding the Spaniard’s impressive haul (two goals, eight assists), Ross Barkley strengthened his status as Everton’s first choice Fantasy midfielder, recording his third assist in as many starts.
Capping off the Merseyside’s’ Fantasy output, Tom Cleverley and James McCarthy also registered assists – both then picked up injuries which make them early doubts for Sunday’s home meeting with Spurs.
Everton’s failing defence has claimed just two clean sheets in its last 13 league outings and has shipped 19 goals at Goodison Park – the worst home defensive record in the league. On the flip side, those failings are drawing the sting from their attack – allowing for Lukaku and Barkley to flourish. Everton have notched 22 goals in their last nine league matches – more than any other side in the same window.
Palace Struggle For Cutting Edge
Crystal Palace extended their unbeaten streak to six matches with 0-0 home draw against Swansea City.
Alan Pardew enacted four changes from their stalemate at Bournemouth last Saturday, but the Eagles again struggled to exert their influence in the final third, mustering just two shots on target. On that note, they’ve managed three shots on target since Yannick Bolasie and Connor Wickham were consigned to the treatment room, underlining the duo’s importance to their attack.
Palace continue to impress in defensive terms. This was their third clean sheet in four outings and no team has conceded fewer goals than Alan Pardew’s outfit (five) since Gameweek 10, augmenting Joel Ward’s (4.4) appeal in defence and Wayne Hennessey’s (4.1) credentials as a budget stopper.
The Eagles have shipped just six goals in the last 10 and have not conceded more than one goal in a match since the Gameweek 9 home defeat to West Ham.
It’s worth noting, however, that the Eagles face off against the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur across the next four Gameweeks: that will test their current resilience and could see a regression in defensive returns.
Palace’s quest to overhaul Chelsea at Selhurst Park will be trickier in the absence of Yohan Cabaye, who’s banned for that showdown after being issued his fifth yellow card in yesterday’s stalemate.
Williams Excels In Another Swans Shut-out
Despite making eight alterations to the side that bested West Bromwich Albion last weekend, Swansea were able to repel Crystal Palace and record their third successive clean sheet.
Priced at just 4.8 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Ashley Williams earned maximum bonus points for the third consecutive match, such is his influence in terms of clearances, blocks and interceptions (CBI).
With very few goal threats in the Swans’ ranks, it appears that Williams will be well placed to earn bonus each time the Swans achieve a shut-out. No other defender has earned more bonus over the season than Williams (14) and only Man United’s Chris Smalling and Arsenal’s Nacho Monreal have collected more points in the Bonus Point System (BPS) over the season.
Saturday’s trip to Old Trafford grants Swansea and Williams further opportunity for profit: United have notched just twice in their last five league outings. The Swans then face both Sunderland and Watford at the Liberty Stadium.
Spurs Snatch Late Victory
Tottenham Hotspur secured a 2-1 win over Watford at Vicarage Road, courtesy of Son Heung-Min’s 89th minute winner. The South Korea international came off the bench to sneak his back-heeled effort through the legs of Heurelho Gomes for just his second league goal for the club.
While Son’s lack of starts and classification as a striker keeps him off the menu, Erik Lamela (6.8) may yet emerge as a differential prospect in the Spurs midfield. The Argentine’s opening strike at Vicarage Road was his first league goal since Gameweek 10 but his fourth in five matches in all competitions, following his hat-trick against Monaco in the Europa League.
Despite failing to trouble the scoresheet, Harry Kane earned his first assist of the season for his part in Lamela’s goal. Kane will fancy his chances of getting back amongst the goals at Goodison Park next time out, given Everton’s miserable home defensive record.
Mauricio Pochettino rested Kyle Walker against the Hornets, with Kieran Trippier preferred as wing-back in a 3-4-2-1 setup. Trippier duly took his opportunity and earned the assist for Son’s late goal. Walker would seem likely to earn a recall at Everton next time out, with Pochettino’s Gameweek 19 formation specifically tailored to cope with Watford’s twin goal threat – Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo – in their 4-4-2 setup.
The Spurs boss also benched Christian Eriksen from the start, but the Danish playmaker was introduced after Mousa Dembele pulled up just before the break. Like Walker, Eriksen would seem likely to be recalled at Goodison Park, while Dembele looks likely to be ruled out with Pochettino anticipating a two-week absence for the Belgian.
Ighalo Effort Not Enough For Hornets
Watford’s five-match unbeaten run came to an end as a result of Spurs’ late winner. It wasn’t for a lack of effort from Odion Ighalo, who became the first Watford recruit to score in six consecutive top-flight outings. Naturally, Troy Deeney delivered the final pass for his strike partner: he’s now produced attacking returns (five goals, four assists) in all but one of his previous eight starts.
A testing home clash against Manchester City is next on Watford’s agenda, yet fixture difficulty seems immaterial given the form of their front two. Certainly the pair will look to add to their blossoming points tallies against a City defence that is set to be without Vincent Kompany.
At the back, Nathan Ake was given his marching orders at the 62-minute mark, receiving a straight red for a dangerous high challenge on Lamela. The Chelsea loanee will miss the Hornets’ next two league fixtures (MCI, sou) and their FA Cup tie with Newcastle before making a potential return in Gameweek 22 for the trip to Swansea.
Allan Nyom was dropped to the bench initially, but entered the fray at the 68th minute mark in response to Ake’s dismissal.
Baggies Earn Hawthorns Shut-Out
Darren Fletcher steered West Brom to their first win since Gameweek 13 with a header 12 minutes from time. Another unlikely source of Fantasy returns, Claudio Yacob, served up the cross for his fellow midfield destroyer.
The fact that Tony Pulis favoured Victor Anichebe over Rickie Lambert at the lone-striker slot demonstrated how far Saido Berahino has slipped down the pecking order. The Baggies boss was decidedly circumspect when questioned on the Englishman’s omission, doubtless fuelling speculation that Berahino will be on the move this January.
The West Brom defence earned their seventh clean sheet of the season, just their third at the Hawthorns. Stoke, Aston Villa and Swansea are the next three sides to visit, handing Pulis’ side the opportunity to improve on their home defensive record. The clash with Stoke on Saturday will provide a major test, however, given the Potters’ current run of attacking form.
Magpies Blank Again
Newcastle drew a blank away from home for the tenth time in their last 15 road ties. The Magpies are now winless in three outings and could be poised for further disappointment as they gear up for a testing pair of fixtures (ars, MUN).
Certainly, Steve McClaren will need to source a solution for their offensive impotency, given that they’ve tallied six fewer attempts (171) than any other team across the season.
Goalkeeper Rob Elliot missed out late on through illness and was replaced by Karl Darlow. Elliot will remain a minor doubt for the weekend trip to Arsenal, although should he make a recovery, his recall would seem guaranteed given Darlow’s error for West Brom’s goal.
Blunt United Settle For a Point
Manchester United’s goalless draw against Chelsea stretched out their winless streak to eight matches in all competitions – their worst spell of form for 25 years. The Red Devils clattered the woodwork twice but forced Thibaut Courtois into a save on just occasions, with Anthony Martial (left wing) and Wayne Rooney (lone striker) combining for a solitary shot on target.
Louis van Gaal will draw some encouragement from the fact they recorded their first clean sheet in four outings. Indeed, for all their recent troubles, United still boast by far the best defensive record in home fixtures, having restricted their opponents to just three goals at Old Trafford.
False Nine Fails to Deliver For Blues
Chelsea looked toothless in the absence of the suspended Diego Costa, racking up the joint-fourth-fewest attempts (eight) over the weekend. Eden Hazard will welcome a return to midfield next Gameweek, as he proved ineffective at the false-nine position, recording zero attempts and just one key pass.
On the defensive end, Kurt Zouma reclaimed his starting berth alongside John Terry, as the visitors registered their first clean sheet in five outings. In appreciation of the fact they lock horns with the misfiring attacks of Palace and West Brom over the next two Gameweeks, Chelsea’s immediate shut-out prospects look strong.
It remains to be seen how Gus Hiddink shuffles his centre-backs in forthcoming matches; Gary Cahill missed out with a foot injury but could make a return for the trip to Palace, despite the Old Trafford shut-out. The full-backs Cezar Azpilicueta (5.7) and Branislav Ivanovic (6.5) represent the most secure route into the Chelsea back four, with the Serb likely to provide the most profit given his threat at set-pieces.
Carroll Returns to Net Winner
West Ham banished their eight-match winless spell with a 2-1 victory over Southampton.
Michail Antonino – who’s tallied the fourth-most shots inside the box (seven) among midfielders over the last four Gameweeks – restored parity for the Irons in the second half, before teeing up substitute Andy Carroll for a 79th minute winner.
Priced at 5.2, Antonio presents the potential to be a profitable differential ahead of trips to Bournemouth and Newcastle in the next three Gameweeks. However, with Manuel Lanzini also introduced off the bench on his return from injury, and with Dimitri Payet thought to be in with a chance of returning against Liverpool at the weekend, Antonio’s starting role is far from assured, despite recent displays.
Saints Fail To Build On Gunners Win
Southampton failed to capitalise on the momentum they generated with a 4-0 win over Arsenal, slipping to their fourth defeat in six outings.
Dusan Tadic grabbed the assist for Carl Jenkinson’s own goal, yet Southampton were unable to recreate the form that carved the Gunners apart with consummate ease at St Mary’s on Boxing Day.
Nonetheless, a trio of favourable match-ups (nor, WAT, WBA) afford Ronald Koeman’s unit the opportunity to pick up points in a spell which could yet see their Fantasy assets revived.
