As Premier League goalkeepers rest their aching backs, we can reflect on another record goal tally from a Saturday of breathless action. In Fantasy terms the returns were almost as predictable as the Friday Scout Picks – the likes of Robin Van Persie, Carlos Tevez and Robert Huth and Aleksandar Kolarov all read the script, with Louis Saha gatecrashing matters to wreck the beleaguered Blackpool back four. Here’s the notes from a goal-strewn Saturday…

Alan Pardew introduced a new formation in the incredible 4-4 draw with Arsenal to assist the transition following Andy Carroll’s departure. Leon Best was the lone striker with Kevin Nolan providing support from a central position and Peter Lovenkrands and Jonas Gutierrez tucking in from the flanks.

Joey Barton took Newcastle’s two spot-kicks, despite Kevin Nolan assuming these duties earlier in the season. Barton ended the game with 15 points, having gathered the maximum 3 Bonus Points – that was Barton’s biggest points haul of the season and a handsome return from a 4.8 midfielder.

Leon Best notched a goal and an assist but went on to suffer a hamstring injury which saw him replaced late on. Best later withdrew from the Republic of Ireland squad and will be a doubt for the trip to trip to Blackburn – the first of Newcastle’s double fixtures in Gameweek 27.

Johan Djourou’s potential remains strong, despite the 4 goals conceded at St James’ Park. Djourou scored his first goal in Arsenal colours and was then forced off just after half-time with a knee injury – Arsenal collapsed with his departure and Abou Diaby’s sending off. We’ve yet to gain an update on the severity of Djourou’s injury or his likely term of absence, but he will be an early doubt for the first of Arsenal’s double fixtures against Wolves.

Cesc Fabregas returned a blank from the game and has now gone 6 starts without a goal, with 3 assists and 8 Bonus Points plugging the gaps in that run. Given his hefty price tag, his owners will surely be fidgeting but will likely hold firm ahead of Arsenal’s double fixture Gameweek. Robin Van Persie meanwhile returned another 2 goals – to give him a total of 8 over his last 6 starts. He enjoyed another price rise overnight to shift to 10.1 and, with Arsenal dropping points at St James’ Park, would now seem likely to start both of Arsenal’s attractive home double against Wolves and Stoke.

Rio Ferdinand suffered a calf injury in the warm-up to United’s 2-1 defeat at Wolves and was replaced by Jonny Evans in the starting XI. Alex Ferguson later revealed that Ferdinand would be out for two weeks and will therefore miss the Manchester derby match. Ferguson will choose between Chris Smalling and Evans to replace Ferdinand against City, with the United boss indicated that Smalling is more likely to earn the start, despite being amongst the subs at Wolves. Evans also picked up a knock in the game and was later replaced by Smalling.

Louis Saha’s four goals lit up the 5-3 win over Blackpool. The Frenchman has now scored 8 goals in his last 5 starts for Everton. His 21 point haul in the FPL will have blinked him wildly on our Fantasy radars ahead of Everton’s double fixture in Gameweek 29. Everton have a run of 4 home matches in 5, starting in Gameweek 28. If Saha can remain fit and firing to that point, strong investment would seem likely.

Daivd Moyes elected to leave Tim Cahill on the bench following his Asia Cup exertions. He eventually saw action on 70 minutes and would seem a likely starter at Bolton next time out. Phil Jagielka was also left on the bench with Jonny Heitinga continuing in central defence – that would also seem likely to change for Everton’s trip to the Reebok.

Ian Holloway drafted in Paul Rachubka in goal, dropping Richard Kingson to the bench for the game at Goodison. Rachubka’s selection did little to stem the tide of goals but he is now presumably ahead of Kingson in the pecking order while Matt Gilks continues his rehabilitation from injury. Elsewhere, Holloway made a string of changes as promised with James Beattie and Jason Puncheon earning starts. Ian Evatt returned to the defence in place of the injured Craig Cathcart – the former United defender has also withdrawn from the Northern Ireland squad today with his hamstring injury and will therefore be a doubt for Blackpool’s Gameweek 27 fixtures.

Roberto Martinez was able to call on skipper Antolin Alcaraz to bolster his defence, while Victor Moses returned to the starting XI to add trickery on the flank – his first start since the opening game of the season. While Chales N’Zogbia often hogs the limelight in Fantasy terms, the 4-3 win over Blackburn brought the likes of Ben Watson and James McCarthy to our attention once more. The latter earned 3 Bonus Points to go with his brace of goals, one of which was superbly taken. McCarthy, priced at 4.6 in the FPL, has now scored 3 goals in 3 starts following his return from long-term injury. Watson meanwhile, hogged set-plays and once again stepped up to convert a spot-kick for Wigan’s fourth and his second goal in as many games.

Robert Huth’s brace of goals in the 3-2 win over Sunderland were his fifth and sixth league goals of the season – an incredible return for a centre-back. While clean sheets perhaps look unlikely for Stoke’s double at Birmingham and Arsenal, Huth will of course present a substantial goal threat – his FPL price rose to 5.4 overnight and will likely increase again before Gameweek 27 comes to a close.

Kieran Richardson notched his fourth in three matches by opening the scoring at the Britannia. He continues to flourish in the advanced midfield role up in support of Asamoah Gyan then. Gyan himself has quietly moved on to a tally of 8 league goals so far this season – a strong return for a striker who, until Darren Bent’s departure, had failed to cement his starting role. Sunderland’s harsh forthcoming fixtures and double Gameweeks elsewhere, is likely to temper any Fantasy interest him Gyan and Richardson.

Rafael Van der Vaart’s owners suffered a rollercoaster afternoon with the Dutchman converting an early penalty, only to miss a second spot-kick after being forced to re-take, having scored his first effort. Van der Vaart later suffered a calf injury that, according to post-match reports, will see him miss the trip to Sunderland to return to contention for the Champions League clash at AC Milan. It looks as though Van der Vaart will therefore miss the first of Tottenham’s two fixtures in Gameweek 27. Niko Kranjcar could well profit from the loss of Van der Vaart and the possible continued absence of Luka Modric.

Daniel Sturridge registered his second goal in as many games for Bolton. He was given a start up front by Owen Coyle, with Johan Elmander shifted to the right-side of midfield – another blow for the Swede’s ailing Fantasy potential.

Carlos Tevez struck a birthday hat-trick, helped along by two more spot-kicks. He led the City attack with Edin Dzeko dropping to the bench – a significant decision that clearly casts serious doubt over his long-term Fantasy potential. Both Nigel De Jong and Micah Richards missed out through injury. Tevez enjoyed another FPL price rise overnight, despite facing a trip to Old Trafford next. Following that however, City and Tevez have three home fixtures in four that will likely see the Argentine boost his goal tally and Fantasy ownership further.

Man City earned the only clean sheet of the day – taking them on to 12 for the season. While they will be hard pushed to earn another at Old Trafford in Gameweek 27, their run of home matches after that should offer them further defensive returns.

Aleksandar Kolarov looks to be the pick of the City defence, despite continued question marks over his defensive qualities. He justified his Scout Pick selection by complimenting his clean sheet with further attacking returns, earning 2 assists and 2 Bonus Points. The Serb was only denied a stunning 30-yarder by a superb Boaz Myhill save.

Kyle Walker’s Fantasy potential was underlined by a stunning long-range strike in the 2-2 draw with Fulham. The loanee from Spurs has surely cemented his start at right-back for Villa and,at 4.0 in the FPL, offers exceptional value for Villa’s run of kind home fixtures.