A tale of two refs, as Howard Webb hands Newcastle a lifeline in the North East derby, while Mike Riley delivers a killer blow to Chelsea in the clash of the title hopefuls at Anfield. For the neutral fantasy manager, there was little to shout about and little to save us from the most mediocre of weekends…

Newcastle 1 Sunderland 1

Kinnear was able to hand a debut to new signing Nolan in midfield, while Ameobi shook off an ankle injury to start up front with Carroll. Butt returned from suspension so Geremi dropped to the bench. Lovenkrands started on the bench once again and Harper started in goal with Given’s transfer to City almost certain to go through.

As for Sunderland, Sbragia kept faith with Fulop in goal, although Gordon is now fit and will surely push for a recall for the Cup replay in midweek. Edwards came in for the the injured Tainio, while Richardson was fit enough to relegate Reid to the bench.

There’s little to take from this one in fantasy terms. The Sunderland strike force are the only likely current targets for fantasy managers and Cisse did his job by firing his tenth goal of the season here. That was his first goal in the last 5 starts and although it’s a show of form, with Sunderland missing a fixture in gameweek 27, he and Jones don’t look too tempting beyond the home game with Stoke next weekend (STK ars BLANK liv).

Newcastle meanwhile have never consistently contributed to fantasy lineups this term and I can’t see this changing. Ameobi at a push, could be an option, as could Martins on his return from injury, which should be immanent. Their forthcoming fixtures don’t improve things (wba EVE bol MUN).

Injuries and Bans
Cisse picked up an ankle injury, although Sbragia is optimistic over his condition – “Djibril [Cisse] is OK – we took him off, but it was just precautionary and he should be OK for Saturday.”

Bardsley picked up his fifth booking of the season and will now face a one match ban. He’ll miss Sunderland’s FA Cup tie, if they come through the replay with Blackburn in the week. If not, he’ll sit out the trip to Arsenal on February 21. For Newcastle, Coloccini picked up a knock and was replaced late on.

Liverpool 2 Chelsea 0

There were no surprises from Rafa this time and he fielded his strongest lineup for this crucial clash. Aurellio came in for Dossena at left-back, while Riera returned for Babel who dropped to the bench. Gerrard was played just behind Torres once again, with Keane out of the squad. As for Chelsea, Scolari kept an unchanged lineup, preferring Anelka to Drogba up front once more. Deco was left on the bench with both Kalou and Malouda earning starts.

Sadly, Lampard’s red card dominated the game. For his fantasy owners it was a blow in the short-term but a potentially bigger one in the mid-term with a three match ban on its way. That would see miss the Hull and Villa league games and the Watford FA Cup tie. An appeal is inevitable however and I just can’t see how the FA can fail to rescind the card once the video evidence is reviewed.

Bizarrely Chelsea could find themselves regaining Lampard but losing Bosingwa to a similar ban. The right-back clearly thrust his studs into the back of the time-wasting Benayoun late on. He wasn’t booked for the incident and therefore it can be reviewed. If it is, he will surely face a ban for violent conduct and miss the same matches mentioned above.

We should have verdicts on both Lampard on Bosingwa in the next 48 hours – until then, my advice is to hold fire on transfers, particularly if you own both players. If Bosingwa does pick up a ban, then Belletti (5.6 in the FPL) would likely come in a provide a decent mid-price option. Lampard’s absence meanwhile would surely see a simple recall for Deco to the midfield. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

Despite the distraction of the Lampard red, Liverpool were the better side and deserved the result. They had scored just 2 goals in the last 3 league games before today so the return to form for Torres will come as great relief. He will inevitably earn fantasy interest, although he is likely to be too rich for most.

Defensively, this was also a return to form for Liverpool. Before today, Rafa’s defence had returned just 2 clean sheets in the last 8 league games. The fixture list is Liverpool’s friend in the next month or so (por MCY mid SUN) so if Gerrard can escape a ban in those games (he is now on 4 bookings), Liverpool should be firing at both ends.

Chelsea are clearly still failing to find first or even second gear. Their fixtures (HUL avl WIG por) are kind enough to help them through this spell however and Lampard owners should be keen to keep the faith should he escape the ban. Defensively however, Chelsea have wavered with just a single clean sheet in the last 5 league games. Looking at the next four fixtures, you’d have to fancy both Villa and Wigan to test their defensive resolve further, which puts a question mark over investment in their back four.

Injuries and Bans
I’ve already covered the Lampard and Bosingwa situation above. In addition to this pair, John Terry picked up a fifth yellow and he now misses the FA Cup tie with Watford in a fortnight. Ashley Cole moved onto the suspension tightrope with his fourth booking here.

Alonso picked up his fifth booking here and will now face a one match ban that will see him miss the FA Cup fifth round tie with either Doncaster or Villa, if Liverpool can see off Everton in midweek. If not, he’ll miss the home game with Man City on February 22. Gerrard and Mascherano are new entries on the suspension tightrope and are one yellow away from a ban.