Frozen pitches and burst pipes robbed us of two Premier League encounters from the Boxing Day programme, but that wasn’t enough to dent our spirit as the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Carlos Tevez, Rafael Van der Vaart and even Carlton Cole, bagged a brace of goals each to deliver belated presents for their Fantasy owners. Here’s the notes on yesterday’s events…

Dimitar Berbatov lived up to his Scout Pick selection with another brace of goals as United eased to a 2-0 win over Sunderland. Berbatov’s partnership with Rooney again come good, with the latter seeing far more of the ball but providing the ammunition for the lank-haired Bulgarian. Right now, Berbatov looks a far stronger Fantasy proposition and should remain in the starting lineup over the remaining holiday fixtures at Birmingham and West Brom.

Anderson was again superb in midfield for United and, having started his third successive league game, earned 2 Fantasy Premier League Bonus Points for the first time this season. Ferguson removed Anderson just after the hour-mark with the intent to save him for the trip to St Andrews, so he looks likely to retain a starting role given his form.

Ferguson has however confirmed that he expects both Nani and Darren Fletcher to return to contention for the Birmingham game. Nani disappointed Fantasy Managers everywhere by missing yesterday’s game with a hip injury, while illness kept Fletcher out. Both look likely starters on Tuesday.

United’s defence continues to impress having recorded their fifth clean sheet in 8 league games here. Rafael’s enjoyed a recent price rise but at 5.7, still looks superb value. He gained another FPL Bonus Point in yesterday’s game and although there could be a slight rotation risk over him for the Birmingham trip, form would suggest that he will keep his starting berth.

Sunderland shouldn’t be forgotten over the remainder of the holiday fixtures. They were without both Lee Cattermole and Danny Welbeck for yesterday’s game, but both will be expected to return to Steve Bruce’s lineup for games against Blackpool and Blackburn at the Stadium of Light – they promise profit at both ends for the Black Cats.

Bolton earned only their second clean sheet of the season with the 2-0 win over West Brom. In truth however, they were fortunate to come away with the points with the Baggies, and Peter Odemwingie in particular, failing to convert chances that should at least have earned Roberto Di Matteo’s men a point. Johan Elmander’s late goal was his first in four games – a timely reminder for his Fantasy owners, although with trips to Chelsea and Liverpool to come next, there will be plenty tempted to shift the Swede with alternatives available – notably Sunderland’s Danny Welbeck and the in-from Dimitar Berbatov.

Somen Tchoyi earned the maximum Bonus Points in the Reebok encounter, underlining his impressive form since breaking into the West Brom lineup. The Cameroonian was, along with Odemwingie, the biggest threat to the Bolton goal, but ended the game emptied handed. Tchoyi represents a cheaper alternative to the influential Chris Brunt in the West Brom midfield. Brunt picked up his fifth booking of the season at the Reebok and he will miss the home clash with Blackburn on Tuesday. Odemwingie could also be a doubt – Roberto Di Matteo reported that he played through the pain at Bolton having suffered an ankle knock early on.

At Villa Park, Rafael Van der Vaart played his first game since limping off early on in Tottenham’s gameweek 15 match with Liverpool and wasted little time in illustrating exactly why he’s such a coveted Fantasy Asset with a clinical double (and the inevitable 3 FPL Bonus Points) against Gerard Houllier’s side. Jermain Defoe’s straight red card seemed not to weaken Tottenham, as they won with an ease that should have alarm bells ringing for their hosts. With (NEW, FUL) up next for Harry Redknapp’s side, the Dutchman will surely be transferred in heavily over the next day or two. Redknapp may wish to rest Van der Vaart over this busy spell, but, on this form, it’s hard to see how that will be the case.

Marc Albrighton late consolation for Villa again showed why he’s one of the best bargain midfielders around; four goals and four assists is a decent return for a 4.6m player. A knee injury saw Ashley Young miss only his second game of the season for Houllier’s side, as Gabby Agbonlahor returned up front. Villa now play (mcy, che) over the next few days and realistically can expect little returns if they maintain this form.

Blackburn’s poor performances since sacking Sam Allardyce continued with a 2-0 home defeat to Stoke. Rovers had three straight home wins prior to Big Sam’s dismissal but replacement Steve Kean has now just one point from two Ewood Park games and the home fans made their feelings abundantly clear by booing the side off at the end. Unsettled skipper Chris Samba missed the match through injury and his physical presence was sorely missed by the home side. It was later revealed that Samba had been stripped of the captaincy by Kean.

Robert Huth continued his fantastic goalscoring form for Stoke, with his fourth goal of the season giving Tony Pulis’ side the lead. Matt Etherington grabbed another assist, as did Ricardo Fuller, despite the forward being on the pitch for just seven minutes. Dropped for Jonathan Walters, he clearly had a point to prove. With just one defeat in seven, Stoke move up to eighth and have a kind run of home fixtures (FUL, EVE, mun, BOL) up next. Huth, Etherington, Kenwyne Jones and keeper Asmir Begovic all warrant attention for that run, as a confident Stoke look good for home wins.

Huth is still just one booking from a suspension however. He picked up his fourth booking in Gameweek 11 but has not received a yellow card since. Etherington meanwhile, picked up a knock to his ankle or shin according to reports and was withdrawn on 74 minutes. He could well be a doubt for the Fulham clash as a result.

Mario Balotelli was dropped to the bench as James Milner was recalled to the starting line-up for Man City’s trip to Newcastle. Carlos Tevez once again came up with the goods for City, grabbing two goals, an assist and the 3 Bonus Points in the club’s comfortable win at St James’ Park. Tevez has now hit double figures four times on the road for Roberto Mancini’s side. Our Members’ stats have long been highlighting the attacking display of Aleksander Kolarov for a few weeks, and yesterday, the FPL Bonus judges finally took notice, awarding the full-back 2 Bonus Points for his threatening raids down the left-flank. Tevez and Kolarov look the big temptations for City’s run of three home games in four (AVL BLP ars WOL) – both will surely profit from that run of opponents.

The menace of Andy Carroll just cannot be underestimated; the big number nine’s goal against City was his sixth in his last eight games and eleventh for the season so far. Newcastle’s last three home games have been against Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City and Carroll has netted in them all. Alan Pardew’s side may have three of their next four away (tot, wig, WHM, sun) but Carroll has shown he is a man for all occasions. Shola Ameobi had been an integral part of the first-team for a number of weeks under Chris Hughton, but despite starting at home to Liverpool in the club’s last game, was dropped by Pardew.

Pardew made several changes to his lineup, drafting back Fabricio Collicini following his return from suspension – he replaced a sick Sol Campbell alongside Steven Taylor, who, for now at least, looks to have held off the challenge of Mike Williamson to keep his starting role. Wayne Routledge came into midfield on the right, with Joey Barton in a central role and Kevin Nolan shifted to support Carroll up front. Changes will be required for the trip to Spurs however; Nolan picked up his fifth booking of the season against City and he will now miss the White Hart Lane clash; that could now give an opportunity to Nile Ranger or Danny Guthrie.

The Scoutcast picked out West Ham as a possible source of differentials over Christmas and so it transpired as Carlton Cole’s brace helped to put Fulham to the sword at the Cottage. Incredibly, this was the first time that Cole has recorded more than one strike in a Premier League match. Avram Grant’s side will now take great confidence into their Upton Park encounters with Everton and Wolves next – with Cole, Frederic Piquionne and Scott Parker all looking decent differential picks for those games.

Mark Hughes’ side slipped into the bottom three and are in miserable form. They’ve scored just 5 goals in their last 8 league outings and have conceded 12 in that run of games. Three away games in four won’t help their immediate prospects and, in Fantasy terms, they look a no-go until some semblance of confidence, and perhaps the injured Mousa Dembele, is restored.

Wigan again demonstrated their famed inconsistency with a fine 2-1 win at Wolves. Hugo Rodallega was the chief tormentor with a goal and an assist – he and Charles N’Zogbia duly shared the FPL Bonus Points. Rodallega and N’Zogbia have now won 31 Bonus Points between them as they stand head and shoulders above the rest of the Wigan squad.

Tom Cleverley is another who could creep into recognition however, he notched his third Wigan goal at Molineux and looks a bright spark for Roberto Martinez raiding from midfield. At just 4.2 in the FPL, he presents very strong value as a fifth midfielder option for those saving cash for elsewhere in their squads. Wigan will welcome back both Hendry Thomas and Maynor Figueroa for the DW stadium clash with Arsenal – the first of three home matches in the next four. Like West Ham, they are a source of a decent differential for those Fantasy Managers looking to take a punt.