Wayne Rooney took his turn in the sun to overshadow his esteemed Bulgarian comrade and fire only his second and third goals from open play since March. Rooney’s strikes helped United extend their unbeaten run to 29 games, while Arsenal kept pace at the top with a stuttering 2-1 Emirates win over Everton.
Chelsea warmed up for the arrival of Fernando Torres by notching four away from home for the second consecutive game, while Wigan held the Baggies to a 2-2 thriller at the Hawthorns.
Here’s the Scout Notes from a night where clean sheets went missing in action once again.
Wayne Rooney’s brace was the first time he’d scored two goals in a game for almost 11 months. It took his season tally to 5 goals and gave him an Fantasy Premier League Gameweek total of 16 points with the obligatory 3 Bonus Points also coming his way. This was Rooney’s biggest points haul of the season as he woke from his slumber to remind us all of his potential. Currently priced at 11.5 and with just 11% ownership, there will those tempted by Rooney as a heavyweight differential but, given the wealth of free-scoring options up front elsewhere, it would seem likely that even with this spurt of scoring, interest in United’s talismanic striker will likely remain tempered.
Nani also saw a return to form, after three matches without FPL Bonus and blanks at Spurs and Blackpool, the winger once again sparked to life on home turf by providing a delicious cross for Rooney’s second and tormenting the Villa defence throughout.
Despite claims from Alex Ferguson that Rafael “should be okay” to return to the United back four, the Brazilian missed out. That was the only real surprise in a United lineup which saw John O’Shea take the right-back role once again. Rio Ferdinand returned from a groin injury to take his place in the centre. The likes of Paul Scholes, Javier Hernandez and Anderson took up bench roles, with Ryan Giggs again earning a start in midfield. United lost Darren Fletcher to a gashed head on 34 minutes but he should be in the frame to start at Wolves at the weekend.
Villa’s starting lineup was of interest with Gerard Houllier expanding his options, particularly in midfield areas. He employed Stewart Downing and the recalled Marc Albrighton in wide areas last night, and started with the impressive Jean Makoun and Stiliyan Petrov in the centre, with Ashley Young once again orchestrating matters up in support of lone striker Darren Bent. With Michael Bradley set to be introduced following his loan deal, it will be interesting to see how Houllier juggles things – Petrov’s starting role looks to be under threat.
Kyle Walker kept his place at the back with Carlos Cuellar benched. He and Ciaran Clark appear to offer value in Houllier’s defence then. Villa have, on paper, the easiest run-in to the season with a host of home fixtures that look set to give them opportunities for returns at both ends of the park.
Louis Saha’s controversial strike was the first goal conceded by Arsenal in a league game for four matches. Clearly offside, the early strike incensed the Emirates faithful but earned Seamus Coleman his third assist of the season and gave the visitors a platform to frustrate Arsene Wenger’s side who struggled in the first period.
The Gunners eventually struck back with an improved showing in the second-half, with Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie earning valuable assists for goals from Andrey Arshavin and Laurent Koscielny. Fabregas and Van Persie duly earned FPL Bonus from the match, with the Dutchman claiming the maximum for the third consecutive game. Van Persie has scored or assisted in 5 of his 6 matches since his return to the Arsenal’s starting lineup in the league. Fabregas meanwhile, has assisted in 3 of those matches, earning maximum Bonus just once. Clearly the return of Van Persie has had a marked affect on just how Arsenal’s Bonus Points are distributed.
The Arsenal lineup was fairly predictable, although Wenger chose to draft in Tomas Rosicky to replace hamstring victim Samir Nasri. That left Arshavin with a bench role, although he managed to play his part, introduced in the second-half to drag the Gunners back into the game with 20 minutes remaining.
Alex Song and Theo Walcott both picked up injuries with Song replaced at half-time by Abou Diaby. According to Wenger’s post-match comments, he picked up a kick from team-mate Koscielny…
“He cannot walk. I don’t know what he has got. He was kicked, I think it was by Koscielny, he knocks out everybody in our team. So we have to see how he responds to that in the next days, but he cannot walk at the moment.”
Walcott meanwhile picked up an ankle knock with Wenger remaining vague on his prognosis…
“He has an ankle problem I think, but I don’t know how serious it is.”
Both Walcott and Song will be doubts for the weekend trip to Newcastle. Wenger also confirmed that Samir Nasri will be absent for three weeks with his hamstring injury.
Everton themselves were still without Phil Jagielka who was once again kept on the bench to be introduced on 78 minutes. Dinyar Bilyaletidinov continued on the left-flank vacated by the departed Steven Pienaar, although that role is still up for grabs with Leon Osman replacing him on 65 minutes.
Chelsea prevailed in a 6-goal thriller at the Stadium of Light with goals from Frank Lampard, Salomon Kalou, John Terry and Nicolas Anelka. The latter earned the maximum 3 FPL Bonus Points with another telling contribution – a timely performance given the arrival of Torres. Anelka has now earned Bonus in his last 3 starts.
Frank Lampard’s spot-kick and assist, along with 2 Bonus, earned him his biggest points haul of the season and saw him blink on our radars for the first time as a serious consideration for a midfield slot. The arrival of Torres could well force a shift in formation and tactics from Carlo Ancelotti and Lampard’s form will need monitoring once Torres is introduced. The display at Sunderland was certainly a reminder as to Lampard’s vast attacking potential.
Chelsea have 13 goals in their last 5 games – a clear indication of their recent resurgence. Fixture congestion remains a big concern however, and Ancelotti’s side are of course without a double fixture in Gameweek 27 which will likely see their assets ignored over the forthcoming weeks.
Mikel returned to Chelsea’s starting lineup in midfield, while Kalou also earned a start with Florent Malouda dropping to the bench. Mikel picked up a knock on the night and was replaced by Ramires on 77 minutes.
Sunderland conceded more than 2 goals at the Stadium of Light for the first time this season then, although at least Phil Bardsley owners earned some reward via his early strike for his second goal of a profitable season. Steve Bruce’s lineup once again saw Kieran Richardson in an advanced role, up in support of Asamoah Gyan; the former United man troubled the visitors on a number of occasions. Stephane Sessegnon made his debut out wide and looked lively enough but faded through a lack of match fitness.
Jerome Thomas earned both assists in West Brom’s 2-2 draw with Wigan at the Hawthorns. The winger has displayed strong form of late and his interventions proved decisive for goals from Peter Odemwingie and Marc-Antoine Fortune. Thomas also earned 2 Bonus points on the night with maximum going to the familiar source – Wigan’s Charles N’Zogbia.
N’Zogbia was impressive throughout took his goal tally to 4 for the season with his first-half strike, while the Bonus brought him on to a figure of 23 points; Charlie Adam is the only midfielder to have earned more Bonus so far this season. Wigan’s forthcoming fixtures (BLA liv MUN mcy) are likely to be a factor in N’Zogbia’s potential and appeal of the coming weeks – he may struggle to fetch returns with those opponents.
Carlos Vela made his debut for West Brom and was given a wide role as predicted by Roberto Di Matteo. Vela showed glimpses but was largely ineffective before being replaced on 58 minutes.
Peter Odemwingie’s ninth goal of the season continued his impressive first season in the Premier League. At 5.2, he represents strong value as a third attacker in the FPL given West Brom’s forthcoming home double fixture in Gameweek 27.
The Baggies suffered injuries to both Simon Cox and Gonzalo Jara. Cox, who made a rare start in an attacking Baggies lineup, suffered an ankle injury and was replaced on 65 minutes, while Jara sustained a hamstring problem with 20 minutes remaining. Both will be major doubts for the trip to City at the weekend.
Wigan suffered injuries of their own. Maynor Figueroa was stretchered off on 70 minutes, while Gary Caldwell suffered a broken cheekbone. Both players seem set to miss Wigan’s home clash with Blackburn then.
