Anderson and Jermain Defoe notch goals as United and Spurs are held but progress as Champions League group winners. Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger gives Cesc Fabregas little chance of making Monday’s big clash at Old Trafford. Heres’s some scribbles from Tuesday’s events…
Anderson’s goal, a poachers effort after the Valencia keeper had parried a fine Ji-sung Park shot into his path, was enough to seal top spot in Group C for United and offer them a potentially favourable draw in the knockout stages. The Brazilian midfielder started in a strong United midfield that included Michael Carrick, Park and Nani.
Anderson has edged his way into favour since his return from injury and his goal, coupled with the fact that Paul Scholes is a doubt for Monday’s clash with Arsenal, look set to earn him another start in Monday night’s game. Alex Ferguson hinted that he’s certainly looking for more from Anderson after his first strike in front of the Old Trafford crowd…
“He should score more…The boy has terrific talent. He has great pace and power. He is a strong boy. We are pleased he got a goal. It may help him.”
Ferguson’s lineup was strong throughout, despite the fact that qualification had already been sealed before the meet with Valencia. Patrice Evra was missing at left-back through injury with Fabio filling in; the only surprise was the inclusion of Ben Amos in goal with Edwin van der Sar rested.
Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov lead the attack and both had numerous opportunities on the night to boost their goal tallies. Rooney struck the woodwork and provided several key passes for team-mates – he looks close to the kind of form that will reward Fantasy investment.
Rio Ferdinand was an early casualty on the night, replaced by Chris Smalling on 50 minutes. Ferguson confirmed post-match that Ferdinand was feeling his hamstring and that the move was a precaution prior to Monday’s game…
“Rio’s got a tight hamstring. We’ve got six days and hopefully we’ll get him ready”
Ferguson also offered less encouraging news on Paul Scholes’ fitness…
“Paul tried training on Sunday and he came off, so I think it’ll be difficult for him for Monday.”
There was no talk of a possible absence for Evra so we can only presume that he will be fit to resume at left-back. Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs could feature against the Gunners, with Van der Sar surely likely to return in goal.
A entertaining 3-3 draw, featuring a bizarre own goal and a dubious penalty, was enough to see Spurs earn passage to the knockout stages as Group winners. Jermain Defoe’s brace will grab the headlines – his smartly taken strikes confirmation that he, like Rooney, is closing in on form that offers potential to those Fantasy Managers willing to take the gamble
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Harry Redknapp made four changes to his lineup that took the field at Birmingham. Jermaine Jenas returned to a midfield that also included Niko Kranjcar; fellow Croatian Vedran Corluka started at right-back, while Roman Pavlyuchenko was given an opportunity to impress up front.
Redknapp lost Jenas to a recurrence of his calf injury on 34 minutes and he is now a major doubt for the White Hart Lane clash with Chelsea this weekend, along with Niko Kranjcar who suffered a hamstring problem late on. The likes of Aaron Lennon and Peter Crouch, both rested to the bench here, will surely be set for recalls against Chelsea with Alan Hutton and even Michael Dawson (on the bench last night) in contention for starts in the back four.
Cesc Fabregas has a less than 50% chance of making Monday’s trip to Old Trafford according to Arsene Wenger. Speaking prior to tonight’s Champions League encounter with Partizan, the Gunners boss seemed to underplay the chances of both his skipper and Abou Diaby making the crunch clash…
“He [Fabregas] was out to practise today, in fact he is still out there now…He has a small chance to play on Monday. That means it is a bit under 50 per cent at the moment…Diaby is out practising as well with him. He has a very small chance.”
The performance of Seamus Coleman at Stamford Bridge on Saturday may well have cemented his place back in David Moyes’ starting XI; certainly his showings in November have been recognised by the club as he was awarded their “Player of the Month” award yesterday. Coleman looks set to hold down his position on the right of midfield for the potentially profitable home clash with Wigan this weekend.
Newcastle’s Steve Harper is back in training and due to return to contention within a fortnight. The stopper has been out for months with shoulder injury, allowing 4.0 FPL option Tim Krul to stake a claim for the number one spot at St James’ Park. Harper seemed optimistic on his chances of challenging for a starting role and given the new Newcastle boss, whoever that may be, a dilemma…
“The physical side is 99 per cent there; the last one per cent is the mental side, getting over it, getting used to flying around again, which unfortunately does take time. But hopefully in a couple of weeks’ time, I’ll be back and giving the manager a headache.”
There was an interesting report on Branislav Ivanovic’s contract situation in the Daily Mail yesterday in which the player’s agent, Dejan Joksimovic, stressed his client’s irritation at being used in the right-back role.
“The club itself is fine, the only problem Ivanovic has is his position, as he prefers to play as a centre back and instead he is often used as a right back.”
Ivanovic has settled in at centre-back during the absence of John Terry and looks set to continue in that role while Alex recovers from a knee operation. Yesterday’s quotes suggested that Carlo Ancelotti could face a dilemma in the New Year however once both Alex and Terry are available.
Jose Bosingwa appears to have the opportunity to make the right-back role his own over the coming weeks, having started the previous four of the last five league encounters in that position. Given the obvious disquiet from Ivanovic concerning the switch to right-back, there’s every chance that we could see Bosingwa cement his place in the Chelsea back four for month’s to come. At just 5.6 in the FPL, Bosingwa’s situation is worth monitoring once Chelsea have rediscovered defensive form and fixtures improve.
There’s better news for Carlo Ancelotti with another report in the Mail confirming that both Ivanovic and Florent Malouda have escaped any FA action surrounding incidents in Saturday’s draw with Everton. Referee Lee Probert has reviewed both Malouda’s “slap” on Phil Neville and Ivanovic’s “challenge” on Seamus Coleman and decided that no further action is necessary. Both are therefore free to face Spurs at the weekend. The report also suggests that Frank Lampard will be thrown straight back into the fray against Spurs having recovered from groin and adductor muscle injuries.
Lampard may not be the only player making a return in the White Hart Lane clash – reports in the Guardian yesterday suggested that Rafael Van der Vaart has not ruled out a return from his hamstring injury against Chelsea. We’ve previously featured news on the Dutchman’s treatment for the injury in Holland with the “controversial” physiotherapist Dick van Toorn which was reported to give Van der Vaart the opportunity to return to contention early. This latest article now suggests that the midfielder “does not yet feel that the Chelsea match is beyond him”.
