Hull win their third game in a row to go above United. Stoke win to keep Spurs bottom after 102 minutes. Who says the Premiership is predictable? Here’s the notes on today’s games…
Hull 1 West Ham 0
Phil Brown named an unchanged side from the one which won at Spurs. Marlon King passed a fitness test to partner Cousin up front. Zola meanwhile, made one change, dropping Di Michele to the bench to bring in Bellamy for his first start of the season.
An even game, with West Ham missing several glorious chances, was decided by a set piece goal. Turner’s headed effort – his second of the season, coupled with Hull’s second clean sheet, will see even further interest in him. He is enjoying a staggering fantasy season – ranked as the second highest scoring defender behind Bosingwa in the Fantasy Premier League. While in the Guardian he is doing even better – topping the overall scoring charts with his impressive defensive stats.
At just 4/6 n the FPL, he looks a clear bargain, particularly with Hull’s defensive form improving – it’s just one goal conceded in the last three games now. However, after the trip to West Brom next weekend, Turner will then take on Chelsea and United, with City shortly after (see the season ticker). Hull have defied the odds so far this term, but it’s hard to see defensive returns against those opponents. The same applies to left back Dawson who provided the corner to earn the assist for Turner’s winner – he is priced at just 4.0 and will doubtless attract new interest after today.
As for West Ham, they played a tighter game as expected. Despite having chances, including one that struck the bar, Cole drew a blank. Etherington also had opportunities and could have saved the game at the end when set up by Cole. That will disappoint those who jumped on their particular budget bandwagons. It’s Arsenal and United next for the Hammers – so the pair may well continue to fire blanks in the short term. It might be wise to look for new options, although the Arsenal defence could offer some profit and things pick up slightly fixture-wise once those two are out of the way.
Lineups
Hull: Myhill, McShane, Zayatte, Turner, Dawson, Marney, Ashbee, Boateng (Hughes 72), Geovanni (Halmosi 73), Cousin (Garcia 82), King.
West Ham: Green, Faubert (Di Michele 73), Neill, Upson, Illunga, Behrami, Parker, Noble, Etherington (Sears 83), Bellamy, Cole.
Injuries and Bans
Boateng picked up a knock and was subbed on 70 minutes.
Stoke City 2 Tottenham 1
Pulis brought in Soares for Tonge in midfield and chose to rest Fuller to the bench after his travels in international week. Sidibe started as expected then. Diao returned in midfield with Amdy Faye benched. Sonko replaced Cort alongisde the Abdoulaye Faye in central defence.
Ramos made his usual array of changes to the Spurs lineup. Hutton made a surprise return to first team action at right back, allowing Corluka to partner Woodgate in the centre of defence. Bentley made a rare start in midfield as Spurs went with a 4-5-1. Campbell was benched then, with Bent starting up front. Pavlyuchenko was fit enough to make the bench.
Delap’s goal will no doubt increase attention on him as a budget purchase. Assists from long throws are expected, but today’s goal is a timely bonus to his owners. Fuller, who missed a spot kick in injury time, will continue to be a handful and is a useful alternative to West Ham’s Cole if you need one. It’s a difficult run of games to come for Stoke however with City, Arsenal and United to come in the next five games.
As for Spurs – they continue to flounder. Bolton next weekend is crucial for them as this is followed by a horrible run of games that sees them take on Arsenal, Liverpool and City. Bent’s goal will alert some fantasy managers but investment looks unlikely while form and fixtures are against them. Dawson’s three match suspension for his red in this game and Corluka’s injury, could well expose further defensive frailties in the short term.
Lineups
Stoke: Sorensen (Simonsen 66), Griffin, Ab Faye, Sonko (Shawcross 83), Higginbotham, Soares, Olofinjana, Diao, Delap, Sidibe, Kitson (Fuller 56).
Tottenham: Gomes, Hutton, Woodgate, Corluka (Dawson 77), Bale, Zokora, Jenas, Lennon, Modric, Bentley (Pavlyuchenko 59), Bent.
Injuries and Bans
Gareth Bale’s red will see him miss the Bolton game next weekend but he will be eligible to return against Arsenal. Dawson meanwhile, will receive a three match ban for his tackle which was deemed “serious foul play”.
On the injury front, Corluka was stretchered off midway through the second half with consussion and will be a major doubt for next weekend. Gomes also picked up a rib injury but played on – he could well feel that prior to next weekend though.
As for Stoke, Sorensen received a blow to the head from his own player and was forced off on 66 minutes. Sonko picked up a groin injury and was subbed on 83 minutes.