Having witnessed Harry Kane fail to produce a goal or an assist in five of his previous home matches, the striker’s two million Fantasy owners will have been anxious ahead of his run-out against Stoke City.
But Kane banished those doubts by helping himself to a pair of goals and a 12-point return as Spurs routed the Potters at Wembley Stadium.
As expected, it was perhaps Stoke’s incompetence rather than Spurs’ form that was the major factor in Saturday’s contest.
Mark Hughes side had already conceded 30 goals prior to the 5-1 defeat, second only to West Ham who had shipped 32. Perhaps more significantly, they had allowed 35 big chances – more than any other side.
Those statistics were always likely to play into the hands of Mauricio Pochettino’s attack, who eventually ran riot following an early own goal from Ryan Shawcross.
It was Son Heung-min who provided the assist for that opening strike, with his deflected cross turned in by the Stoke skipper.
The South Korean, rather than Kane, was Spurs’ star performer, producing a goal and two assists to claim 16 points. Son now has four goals and those two assists from his last six Gameweek starts.
Owned by just 1.8%, he could yet be a factor in our seasons on this form. Certainly, if he can cement a starting role, Son is currently promising to outpace both Chrisitan Eriksen and Dele Alli as midfield options.
That pair were also in the points, Alli returning his fourth assist of the season, while Eriksen got on the scoresheet to notch his fourth goal.
Both have suffered huge ownership losses in recent Gameweeks and, despite Saturday’s points, that’s unlikely to be reversed given the competition for places in Fantasy midfields.
But Kane is starting to look unopposed as the premium striker option.
He rewarded the 1.1 million who made him the Gameweek’s top captain pick, a total which included 36 of the top 100 FPL managers.
With Morata failing earlier in the day at West Ham, Romelu Lukaku off form and the Man City options still engaged in a job share, it’s surely difficult to overlook Kane following his latest Wembley returns.
He had seven shots with three big chances today – more than any other player in the Gameweek.
He now has four goals from his last four Gameweeks, is second only to Mohamad Salah in the overall standings (94 vs 113) and will surely be the leading captain pick for Wednesday’s Gameweek 17 home meeting with Brighton.
Subject to over 105,000 sales prior to today’s return – with a net loss of 36,000 owners – Kane is already the most bought player ahead of Tuesday’s 6.45 deadline.
Spurs defence remains a no-go
While Son and Kane inspired the attack, there is little amongst Pochettino’s rearguard to tempt Fantasy interest.
With the injured Toby Alderweireld still sidelined and Davinson Sanchez ruled out through suspension, Spurs were short on options. They duly shifted to a back four and a 4-2-3-1, a formation that pinned both Ben Davies and Kieran Trippier as full-backs.
That pair still raided forward, providing 12 crosses as Davies contributed a hanging centre for Kane’s first goal – the fourth assist of the season from the Welshman.
But with Serge Aurier and Danny Rose doubtless lined up for starts against the Seagulls, there is little currently security on offer. And with just one clean sheet from the last eight Gameweeks, the frailties created by Alderweireld’s absence remain an issue.
6 years, 4 months agoCrikey! What to do here:-
DDG
Azpi Mee* Sakho*
Hazard Richarlison RLC Salah
Vardy Kane Morata
Elliot Duffy Zeegelaar* Romeu
1FT 0ITB