Lampard reaches top gear. McCarthy maintains the hot streak. Cahill offers another reminder. Richards carried off on a stretcher. This week’s Carling Cup ties offered plenty for us Fantasy Managers to consider. Here’s my notes on the events in midweek…

If we had any doubts on Frank Lampard’s return to form, last night left us in no doubt. His hat-trick added the goals to the hat-trick of assists earned against City at the weekend. There are no doubt thousands of Fantasy Managers shuffling their lineups and budgets to transfer him in for the weekend as a result. Elsewhere in this latest Chelsea lineup, Grant made a host of changes giving starts to Cudicini, Sinclair, Ben-Haim, Sidwell, Wright-Phillips, Shevchenko and Pizarro. None of which are likely to start at the weekend. However, Grant did lose Ferreira to an ankle in injury at half-time. That should confirm a start for Wayne Bridge who will return from his 3-match ban at the weekend.

Arsenal’s young Carling Cup lineup had little trouble disposing of Sheffield United with Eduardo starring. The Croatian hit a superb brace to promote himself in Wenger’s thoughts – he could now be on the bench for the visit of United at the weekend. Walcott, Diaby and Gilberto were the other notable names in the lineup who could figure in some shape or form at the weekend. It seems most unlikely that any of them will do better than a place on the bench however.

Tim Cahill notched his second goal in three games since his return from injury, latching on to a Gravesen cross to fire Everton’s extra-time winner. However, he started on the bench against Luton as the Everton lineup saw a number of changes from the side that beat Derby at the weekend. They included starts for Wessels, Nuno Valente, Neville and McFadden as Moyes moved to a 4-4-2 formation. The shuffle also saw Yobo rested with Stubbs coming back into the back four to partner Lescott who was outstanding on the night.

Both Baines and Arteta were absent through injury. Baines with an ankle injury suffered against Derby that will reportedly keep him out for at least 2-weeks. Arteta meanwhile had a slight calf strain and his absence appears to be a precautionary measure.

Vaughan was a notable second-half sub, making his first appearance of the season after a prolonged absence with a shoulder injuy. His return to fitness will allow Moyes more rotation options up front and there’s been evidence already this season that he’ll use his available resources. That casts further doubt over the Fantasy value of Yakubu and Johnson once he returns from injury.

The midfield also offers plenty of options for Moyes now that Gravesen is fit. He was an extra-time sub against Luton but could well be in line to start at the weekend. He is contesting the central midfield positions along with Carsley, Neville, Pienaar, Osman, Jagielka and Cahill. Those kind of options indicate that Moyes is likely to revert back to the 4-5-1 that Moyes has adopted over the past few games. That should see Cahill continue to flourish although he may only be a short term prospect. Johnson’s return, which is expected after the International break, could see Moyes switch back to 4-4-2 which could put Cahill’s starting role in jeopardy and rotation over the busy Christmas period looks likely. In short, Arteta and Lescott aside, Everton players still suffer from a risk of rotation.

Juande Ramos took charge of Spus for the first time last night and steered them to a 2-0 win over Blackpool. His lineup saw the return from injury of Robinson in goal and Jenas in midfield. Huddlestone was dropped while Keane and Berbatov were, as normal, the preferred pairing up front. Keane repaid the faith in him with another goal as he continues to be a consistent performer in an inconsistent season for Spurs. Notably however, Ramos gave Defoe a chance to make an impact, subbing Keane after the hour mark. Also of note was the presence of Kevin-Prince Boateng, a player that Ramos apparently rates highly, on the bench.

Another interesting move by Ramos was the substitution of Kaboul just 10-minutes after half-time. This was apparently a tactical move following a booking for the centre-back. Ramos brought on Tanio and shifted Chimbonda to centre-back. Could Kaboul be the first casualty as Ramos looks to reshape and tighten his defence?

Rafa gave runouts to a number of peripheral figures for the visit of Cardiff. Itandje, Hobbs, El Zhar, Lucas and Leto all got starts as did Babel who was pushed up front with Crouch. Aurelio made a return at left-back while Arbeloa also came in at right-back with Hobbs partnering Carragher. Mascherano overcame his foot injury to make a second-half appearance while Kewell made his first appearance of the season also as a sub. As mentioned previously, his return adds to Rafa’s rotation options in the wide positions although at least with Pennant injured it should be the case that Benayoun gets a few starts. He appeared as a sub here and set up the winning goal for Gerrard – he seems odds on for a start at the weekend.

Gerrard played but only because Sissoko was ill. Significantly Rafa stated he wanted to rest his skipper which could indicate he may be prepared to sacrifice Gerrard early, as he did against Everton, in the game against Blackburn at the weekend. Liverpool have the crucial Champions League game with Besiktas in midweek and Rafa will surely have this in mind although Blackburn cannot be taken lightly given their current run of form. Gerrard is at last finding some goalscoring form which will promote him in Fantasy managers thoughts. He has now hit three goals in successive games.

Benni McCarthy continued on his hot streak scoring Rovers’ first goal after 11 minutes and has now finally emerged as a Fantasy hot property for the coming months. Gamst-Pedersen made his first notable contribution of the season with the winning goal. He got a start in this match as did Nelson and Berner, both returning from injury, and Khizanishvili. Blackburn suffered a couple of notable injuries on the night with Mokoena who was stretchered off with a suspected broken leg and Bentley being withdrawn after being a doubt before kick-off. The fears over Mokoena have now been allayed but he remains a doubt for the weekend. Those injuries, together with Savage’s absence, should see Pedersen get a start at the weekend with Dunn moving to a central role in midfield. Nelson will also be expected to retain his place in central defence.

Portsmouth fielded an almost full-strength lineup against Blackburn although both Muntari and Hreidarsson were rested with slight knocks. Pamarot and Davis came in. Significantly, Kanu got their consolation goal at the death having replaced Benjani on 75-minutes. Kanu may not start at the weekend but Benjani’s place will be under threat if he fails to register in the visit to Newcastle this weekend. Bouba Diop picked up his fifth booking of the season in the match and will now miss the game with City on November 11.

Gary Megson rested Anelka for the clash with City as the Frenchman nursed his hamstring injury. Davies was also missing with a hip injury. He brought in Guthrie and Alonso while Samuel returned from injury to come in at left-back. Bolton lost right-back Joey O’Brien to injury after 33 minutes while Andy O’Brien also went off with a back injury. The pair, along with Davies and Anelka are all doubtful for the weekend apparently. Meanwhile to add to Megson’s woes, Diouf picked up his fifth booking of the season and will miss the Boro on November 11.

Sven meanwhile recalled Isaksson in goal, relegating Hart to the bench. Petrov missed the game with an injured toe having not trained on Monday. The big news for City however was the injury to Richards which saw him stretchered off on 73-minutes with a twisted knee. Today’s scan revealed no serious damage but he will still be absent until after the International break. That will mean that Onuoha, who replaced him in this match, is likely to start the next two games at right-back with Corluka moving to central defence.

Other points of interest from Sven’s selection concerns Garrido who was kept his place despite a ramshackle performance against Chelsea at the weekend. However Michael Ball came into the side at left-back and Garrido pushed into the midfield to replace Petrov. He was however, subbed after just 56 mintues for Vassell. Should Petrov be fit for the weekend, then it will be interesting to see if Garrido is shifted back to the defence or whether Ball will retain his place given Garrido’s peformance at Chelsea. The injury to Richards, meaning that Sven will make one forced change to his defence, could well mean that Garrido gets a reprieve.

Elano’s stock will have risen further having stepped up to take the controversial late penalty. There were some doubts as to who would get these duties but Elano appears to be the designated spot kicker which will boost his likely goal output over the season.

Finally, on Tuesday night West Ham edged past Coventry with a late Carlton Cole strike. Their lineup saw a return for Ferdinand while Bowyer and Etherington got starts with Boa Morte pushing up to support Cole in attack. Gabbidon was dropped to the bench but replaced Ferdinand on 85 mintues as he limped off clutching his hamstring. Ferdinand is therefore a doubt, once more, for the weekend although its clear, once fit, that he is above Gabbidon in the pecking order.

It’s worth noting that both Solano and Camara were cup tied so changes are expected again at the weekend. Cole however, is fairing well and could be worth considering while West Ham’s striking options are limited by injuries.