A decent night for the Premiership’s UEFA Cup contingent. Only Everton slip on the substantial Belgian flavoured banana skin that is Standard Liege, but then, we saw that coming even they didn’t.
Here’s the notes…
Man City 2 Omonia 1
Having been found out against Brighton in the Carling Cup, Hughes took no chances with his team lineup for this one, despite leading 2-1 from the away leg. It was an almost full strength City then, with just one enforced change – Ben Haim coming in for Dunne in central defence. Dunne was suffering with a slight hamstring problem but will be fit for the Liverpool game this weekend apparently. Petrov returned to the bench tonight, more on that in a later post.
The home side were pretty ordinary in the first half, but, inspired by the twinkle toes of Wright Phillips, they soon got to grips with the occasion and eased through. Elano struck the first from a Robinho assist, before Wright-Phillips sealed it, getting on the end of a smart flick from Ireland, beating two men and drilling home for his fouth goal since his return to Eastlands.
For me, Wright-Phillips is a near essential midfield purchase along with Lampard and Ronaldo. Analyse City’s attacking play and it’s coming down the left and right streams with Robinho and Wright-Phillips. The latter struck 4 efforts on goal tonight – all on target. He’s been averaging 3 shots a game in his 6 appearance for City so far.
While the Robinho is mid-high option up front, Wright-Phillips presents excellent mid-price value in midfield across the games, thanks to Chelsea’s reluctance to hand him the opportunity to prove his talent. The Liverpool game this weekend will be a real test of his fantasy potential and he could easily draw a blank. Beyond that however he looks set to churn out goals and assists by the game.
Lineup
Hart, Zabaleta, Richards, Ben-Haim, Garrido, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Kompany (Hamann 67), Elano, Robinho (Petrov 70), Jo (Evans 67).
Subs not used: Schmeichel (GK), Ball, Fernandes, Sturridge.
Standard Liege 2 Everton 1
Everton crash out to the impressive Belgian leaders then – a result that was always on the cards over the two legs given Everton’s defensive form so far this term.
For a brief spell, Everton were in with a fighting chance. Jagielka scrambling an equaliser on the night after a right howler form the Liege keeper, but Moyes’ men couldn’t claw their way back after the Belgians took the lead for the second time on the night via a rather dubious pen for a foul from the luckless Baines.
He returned to the Everton starting lineup tonight – continuing his yo-yo career at Goodison, as Moyes dropped Yobo to the bench, pairing Lescott with Jagielka in the centre. There was also the expected 4-4-2 from the Everton boss, with Saha starting alongside Yakbubu. The former United man looked bright and should expect to keep his start against Newcastle although he did pick up a knock and was replaced on 70 minutes.
The man who replaced him – Pienaar, could well threaten Saha’s starting role at the weekend, having just returned from injury. Fellaini is the other variable, he was unavailable tonight after playing for Liege in the Champions League. Those two do give Moyes the option of a 4-5-1, even with Cahill suspended but I’m pretty sure he’ll go with Saha and a 4-4-2 if he’s fit.
Long term, elimination from the tournament, coupled with Everton’s exit from the Carling Cup at the hands of Blackburn last week, is all good news for fantasy managers. Theres little chance of major Premiership rotation at Goodison in the near future. Once Moyes has settled on his side and formation, we should be able to read the majority of his side for a good few months. It will take the return of Cahill from suspension and a match fit Pienaar before we can be definite on that though.
Lineup
Howard, Hibbert (Anichebe 63), Baines, Lescott, Jagielka, Neville (Yobo 88), Osman, Cahill, Arteta, Yakubu, Saha (Pienaar 71).
Subs not used: Nash, Castillo, Valente, Rodwell
Injuries and Bans
Saha picked up a knock and was subbed on 70 minutes.
Aston Villa 1 Litex Lovech 1
There was little to take from this one. O’Neill put out a second string side having more-or-less won the tie in the first leg and Villa played out a lazy draw. Cuellar, Knight, Salifou, Milner and Harewood all earned starts as senior players such as Barry and Carew earned well-earned rests ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge.
Harewood scored the Villa goal – a cracking effort, typical of the frustratingly unpredictable striker. Ashley Young, yet again, provided the assist.
Lineup
Friedel; Young, Shorey, Cuellar, Knight; Milner, Routledge, Salifou, Petrov; Young (Osbourne 84), Harewood.
Subs not used: Guzan, Laursen, Agbonlahor, Delfouneso, Reo-Coker, Gardner
Guimaraes 2-2 Portsmouth
Peter Crouch fired Pompey into the group stages with a brace to earn Redknapp’s side a draw on the night – a 4-2 victory in the tie overall.
Harry shifted to a 3-5-2 once again for this one – starting with Johnson and Traore as wingbacks with Pamarot coming into the back three. Davis returned from injury but Hughes kept his place alongside Diarra in midfield. Belhadj dropped to the bench.
Pompey struggled in the first half, conceded two goals and looked on the ropes. In the second however, Traore and Johnson began to impose themselves down the flanks and Defoe and Crouch were starting to get service. Portsmouth had to wait until extra time to notch their first crucial away goal – Crouch scoring an almost archetypal Crouch goal – towering above the full back on the end of a sumptuously Johnson cross.
Belhadj came on as sub for Hughes to set up a second for Crouch , the striker blasted home after some smart work by the Algerian. He’ll look to earn a starting role in the lineup for the visit of Stoke on Sunday and I expect a shift in tactics once again, to 4-4-2 with Belhadj returning to left back and Little figuring on the right. Diarra is suspended so I’m looking for Kaboul to come into the holding role in his place to add some extra height and muscle.
Lineup
James, Distin, Campbell, Pamarot, Johnson, Traore, Davis (Mvuemba 73), Diarra, Hughes (Belhadj 99), Defoe (Kaboul 106), Crouch.
Subs not used: Ashdown, Hreidarsson, Little, Kanu