While Chelsea and Didier Drogba surprised nobody with the Déjà vu scenario unfolded at Stamford Bridge, Blackpool was busily dismantling Roy Hodgson’s dream at Anfield; providing the cue for a chorus of “Dalglish” from the frustrated Kop. As for Man City – their efficiency was severely tested by a battling Newcastle but decisions fell kindly and the timely introduction of Adam Johnson’s twinkling feet saw them gather another three points.
Proceedings at Stamford Bridge certainly stuck to the script. Arsenal played pretty possession football with Samir Nasri and Jack Wilshere impressing again, but it was Chelsea’s power and penetration that eventually overwhelmed them. Michael Essien took control in midfield and even Ramires, much-maligned in the defeat at City last time out, asserted a strong influence in the middle of the park.
Chelsea have now kept five clean sheets this season and have yet to concede at Stamford Bridge. Away trips at Villa, Blackburn and Liverpool in the next four will test their defensive resolve, but it remains essential to cover Chelsea’s relentless march on the title with investment in all departments of your Fantasy squad. Alex’s thunderous free-kick was coming after finding the woodwork on two occasions previously; he remains a rotation risk however, as Carlo Ancelotti will soon have his pack boosted by the return of Jose Bosingwa as a right-back option. It’s difficult to look beyond Ashley Cole for Chelsea defensive coverage – even with his lofty price tag.
Newcastle’s trip to Man City saw a major surprise from Chris Hughton, with Andy Carroll (and Wayne Routledge) left on the bench for the first league game this season, making way for Shola Ameobi and Jonas Gutierrez respectively. Routledge’s time out of the starting XI only lasted a matter of minutes, however, thanks to Nigel de Jong’s leg-breaking challenge on Hatem Ben Arfa, who will now spend a substantial part of his season-long loan from Marseille on the sidelines. Routledge will surely come back into the starting lineup for Gameweek 8’s home clash with Wigan, whilst Carroll owners should be reasonably confident that he will also regain his starting role in that one.
Adam Johnson once again returned to the role of substitute, despite his midweek goal against Juventus in the Europa League. Coming off the bench on the 70th minute, Johnson didn’t take long to make an impact; within five minutes the winger had grabbed City’s winner (and was also awarded the 3 Bonus Points) in a 2-1 victory they made hard work of. Carlos Tevez, once again, scored for City, thanks to a dubiously awarded penalty in a game that saw Jerome Boateng make his first league start for Roberto Mancini’s side, as City moved up to second in the table.
For a side challenging for the top spots, City are still struggling to generate the weight goal opportunities you would expect. With three away games in the next four, owners of Tevez and Johnson will still have some concern that Mancini’s cautious, defend and “wait for the magic” tactics, currently look unlikely to produce large victory margins and big Fantasy returns. At the other end, City were breached against Newcastle, but remain one of the stronger defences in terms of opportunities granted to opponents. Boateng’s start puts him on the radar as a possible target, once we can be sure of his security at right-back. Gutierrez proved a handful on Sunday and Boateng will need to be more convincing if he is to cement a starting role.
Things go from bad to worse at Anfield. Liverpool’s defeat to Blackpool confines them to a bottom three position and, with the Kop baying for Dalglish, it’s clear that Roy Hodgson is in dire trouble. The fixture list looked so rosy for Liverpool a fortnight ago and yet in two home games against Sunderland and Blackpool, they have failed to win and have conceded 4 goals. With a lack of fluency and a lack of Fernando Torres, there’s little doubt that Liverpool have now been labelled a no-go area for Fantasy investment at both ends of the field.
Torres suffered a groin injury in yesterday’s defeat with Hodgson unsure over the severity of the injury and the likely length of absence. The international break may do Hodgson a favour and get the Spaniard back in contention but a trip to Goodison next certainly gives him no favours as far as fixtures are concerned. Everton will be buoyant after their win at Birmingham and will be looking forward to inflicting another blow to a wounded Liverpool in Gameweek 8.
Blackpool continue to surprise and, from 5 away games in their first 7 Premier League outings, Ian Holloway’s side have won 3 of them. Predictably, Charlie Adam has emerged as the “talent” within their squad and his two spot-kicks agianst Newcastle and at Anfield yesterday, have boosted his Fantasy returns to put him firmly on the radar as a bargain fifth midfielder. Maximum FPL Bonus Points arrived yesterday too and he, along with Everton’s Mikel Arteta, has now gathered this on three occasions. Blackpool will likely need to keep winning games for that to continue but the fixtures are on their side over the coming Gameweeks. Three home games in four now follow and Adam is sure to pick up a good deal of Fantasy interest as a result.
