Sunday’s World Cup Final brought the tournament and our month long dalliance with McFifa to a brutal close. Fortunately for us however, the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game kicked off yesterday and just as importantly the clubs have dusted off their bibs and cones and are now building towards the new season. The pre-season has arrived.
It’s not gone unnoticed and we’re going to steer you through the remaining weeks until the season kick-off, bringing you all the juicy and vital information you need courtesty of our handy new Pre-Season Form Guide. Right now though you can get an insight into the first four friendlies that are already done and dusted…
Everton started the merry go round with a pre-season tour of Australia and a match against last years A-League champions Sydney FC; and the spoils were theirs in a 1-0 victory.
Thanks to only a few sparing World Cup call-ups, a strong side including Leighton Baines, Sylvain Distin, Phil Jagielka, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Jack Rodwell and Mikel Arteta all started for the Toffees. Everton tested the Sydney defence on numerous occasions but it wasn’t until just after half time – when Tim Cahill and new signing Magaye Gueye came off the bench – that they were rewarded with their one and only goal. Leighton Baines fed the ball boxwards and Victor Anichebe excellently turned his marker and powered his shot into the top left corner. Louis Saha came off the bench late on for the goalscorer but was unable to improve upon the one goal already notched.
A little closer to home, West Bromwich Albion travelled to Kidderminster with two sides on the team coach to face the Harriers – the 22 men proved too strong and ended up 3-0 victors. The first half XI opened the scoring when a Simon Cox dink fed Ishmael Miller (£4.5m in FPL, a bargain to be had there, maybe?) in the box who in turn dinked the ball himself, lobbing the Kidderminster goalkeeper.
The pressure ensued but no more goals followed so at half time manager Roberto Di Matteo sent out his second half XI, who, after holding off some Harrier pressure, were quickly on the front foot once more when Roman Bednar headed home a Giles Barnes cross just minutes after hitting the crossbar from a Jerome Thomas lay-off. The scoring was rounded out when Abdoulaye Meite headed another Thomas cross in at the far stick.
Down on the south coast Harry Redknapp followed similar instincts as he sent out two separate sides that would eventually stroll past Bournemouth by four goals to nil.
Spurs’ first half XI saw a welcome return for goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini but it was youngster Jon Obika who opened the scoring after 37 minutes when he was able to walk the ball into an empty net, capitalising on a defensive error by the Bournemouth back-line. The second-half saw another slip at the back which allowed youngster Andros Townsend to tee up Roman Pavluychenko to score. Almost immediately it was the Russian who then turned provider as he slid the ball over to Danny Rose who pocketed in the bottom corner from 18 yards. Pavluychenko rounded out the scoring and bagged himself a brace when he coolly lobbed the goalkeeper from outside the box after picking up a through ball from Younes Kaboul. Pavluychenko’s FPL price-tag has coincidentally shrunk to £6m, pretty decent if he can get a game. That’s a big “if” of course.
There was one injury concern for Spurs – David Bentley an ankle injury in the game and will now miss their US tour.
Blackburn Rovers were also in action and claimed a 0-0 draw with Sturm Graz out in Austria. Most of the Blackburn first string got a run out with World Cup participants Ryan Nelsen, Lars Jacobsen and Brett Emerton allowed a bit more time at home with the family. Chris Samba had to leave the field little over half an hour into the game as a precaution following an awkward landing. Reports suggest there was little else to talk about apart from one strong save by Paul Robinson who has maintained his 4.5 price tag in the FPL to provide a decent mid-price keeper solution.