Both Manchester clubs continued their devastating start to the season yesterday with a combined eight goals without reply against Bolton and Wigan, while Chelsea hang on to their coat-tails after a solid win at Sunderland. Stoke took the scalp of Liverpool at the Britannia and Spurs end Wolves’ unbeaten start, as ex-Gunner Emmanuel Adebayor found the net on his debut. Leighton Baines excelled in Everton’s home draw with Aston Villa, while Swansea once again failed to find the net. Here’s the notes from yesterday’s games:
Solid Stoke
Tony Pulis’ side were resolute under pressure once more, keeping a third clean sheet in four matches having conceded just a single goal so far this term. Fantasy managers will be alert to Stoke’s defensive potential with the likes of Asmir Begovic, Ryan Shawcross and Robert Huth surely set to start attracting investment once the fixture list looks more favourable.
Jonathan Walters also stands out as an option, he earned and converted the winning penalty and, at 6.0, is available as an “out of position” prospect in midfield. Walters kept his start up front with Peter Crouch ousting Kenwyne Jones to the bench. With Cameron Jerome and, at some point, Ricardo Fuller, as options, competition for places in the Stoke attack will remain stiff.
Suarez Blanks Again
Luis Suarez was once again Liverpool’s most prominent player and major threat but, for the second consecutive game, he drew a blank. The Uruguayan had several efforts on goal and his opportunity at the death was, by his standards, a sitter. His Fantasy owners will be fidgeting given the devastating form being displayed elsewhere in the league. Trips to Spurs and Everton in the next three Gameweeks won’t be easy for Liverpool and Suarez but, his Fantasy owners will be clinging to the hope that he’ll return major profits in forthcoming home matches with Wolves and Norwich.
Sunderland’s Struggle Goes On
The Black Cats slipped to their eighth home defeat in nine league games with the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea. It’s hard to look for the positives at Sunderland right now, with just two goals to show for their efforts this season. Ji Dong-Won earned the consolation in this one from debutant’s Nicklas Bendtner’s assist, and he may yet get more opportunities if Steve Bruce considers a shake-up of his lineup. The fixture list does at least look favourable with the next three bringing matches against Stoke, Norwich and West Brom which at least presents the opportunity for improvement.
Sturridge Takes His Chance
Andre Villas-Boas was ruthless with his teamsheet changes, dropping a forlorn Fernando Torres to the bench along with Florent Malouda with Juan Mata and Daniel Sturridge drafted in. Raul Meireles benefited as Mikel was left out following international duty.
All three players took their opportunities with Mata denied a goal by the woodwork, while Sturridge and Meireles combined for Chelsea’s second goal. The cheeky back-heeled finish from Sturridge announced his return to the Chelsea fold following suspension and, with a 6.5 price tag in the FPL, he’ll inevitably attract interest. Replaced on 61 minutes, it’s clear that Sturridge will need to maintain form to cement a starting role. Meireles was also hugely impressive and, at 7.4, he may yet pick up investment from those unable to acquire the more expensive Juan Mata.
Wolves Tamed
Mick McCarthy’s side demonstrated plenty of effort in the 2-0 home defeat to Spurs but were undone by two quality finishes from the visitors. Jamie O’Hara was once again prominent, firing in a number of goal-bound efforts from range without earning returns. Elsewhere, the threat from Wolves was minimal with Matt Jarvis only fit enough to appear from the bench following an ankle injury.
Adebayor Convinces On Debut
Harry Redknapp would have been delighted to see his new signings – Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor settle so comfortably and combine for Tottenham’s opener at Molineux. Parker was one of five changes made to the Spurs lineup, drafted into the midfield with Lennon and Rafael Van der Vaart absent through injury. That meant that Redknapp deployed Gareth Bale on the right, with Niko Kranjcar lining up on the left flank. Ledley King made his first start of the season for Spurs, with Michael Dawson missing out due to an achilles problem.
Adebayor was partnered by Jermain Defoe up front and both got on the scoresheet to give Fantasy managers food for thought. Available for 8.0 and 8.4 in the FPL respectively, they undoubtedly offer potential, although fixtures against Liverpool and Asrenal in the next three may cause some doubt in the short-term. From Gameweek 8 onwards, Tottenham’s fixtures look favourable and that could see increased investment coming Adebayor’s way in particular.
Rooney Unstoppable
The United juggernaut rolled on at the Reebok yesterday evening with another ruthless exhibition from the champions. Javier Hernandez showed his predatory skills with a well-taken double on his first league start but once again it was all about Wayne Rooney. A three goal salvo means he’s the only player to find the net in the first four Gameweeks and so far this Fantasy season, it’s been enough to hand Rooney the captain’s armband and sit back as he destroys team after team.
With Chelsea travelling to Old Trafford next Sunday, the 44% -and rising- of Fantasy managers who currently own him will be left in two minds as to whether to continue with this tactic, though it’s hard to look elsewhere, given his rich vein of form.
Trotters Continue to Ship Goals
Owen Coyle made two changes from Bolton’s last game at Anfield. Mark Davies started in place of Fabrice Muamba in central midfield while Dedryk Boyata made his league debut for the Trotters at right-back but the 5-0 hammering means Bolton have conceded eleven goals in their last three games. With Arsenal and Chelsea still to come in their next three games, a win at home to Norwich next week will be vital for Coyle’s side.
Silva Looks Secure
The main news was centred on rotation at the Etihad Stadium yesterday. Roberto Mancini made four changes in total, with only one in defence- Micah Richards replaced Pablo Zabaleta at right-back, while Carlos Tevez, Adam Johnson and James Milner all returned to the starting XI, with Dzeko, Samir Nasri and Gareth Barry omitted ahead of the midweek Champions League game with Napoli.
Though Aguero stole the headlines with a hat-trick, David Silva was again magnificent in midfield and, at present, looks the least likely to be rotated of City’s attacking options.
Wigan Lose Unbeaten Record
Wigan arrived at the Etihad Stadium as one of the few remaining unbeaten sides in the league. One win in their first three games against the promoted clubs was hardly promising, though and the Latics slipped to their first loss at the hands of a rampant City , Wigan slipped to their first defeat of the season at the Etihad Stadium.
Gunners Struggle for Form
Fantasy managers were left frustrated with Arsenal’s performance at the Emirates yesterday. In particular, Robin Van Persie’s performance was of great disappointment- the Dutchman was granted the armband by many but failed to fire as the home side scraped a 1-0 win, with Andrei Arshavin the unlikely goal hero. The Gunners will need time to gel, with the influx of new signings gradually making their way into Arsene Wenger’s starting XI- Mikel Arteta and Per Mertersacker started yesterday, while Yossi Benayoun also came on as a second half sub.
A trip to Blackburn next week is followed by three home games in their next four, with Bolton, Sunderland and Stoke all rolling up at the Emirates, offering plenty chance for Van Persie et al to redeem themselves.
Toothless Swans
Four games into the season and Swansea have still to find the net. Despite all their possession play, Brendan Rodgers’ side have lacked any sort of cutting edge, though Scott Sinclair hit the woodwork and Danny Graham missed a clear cut chance late on. A home game with West Brom present the Welsh club with the perfect chance to break their scoring duck. At the back, Michel Vorm gifted the Gunners a soft winner but nevertheless has conceded just one goal in his last three games.
Baines the Creator
While a penalty boosted Leighton Baines’ Fantasy tally in yesterday’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa, it was his creative side that really caught the eye. The Everton left-back made more goalscoring chances than any other player in the seven matches yesterday and although he failed to pick up an assist, is showing just why he outscored so many midfielder in last season’s FPL. Tim Cahill led the line for the Toffees as David Moyes went without a recognised striker, while Seamus Coleman returned from injury, meaning Ross Barkley dropped to the bench.
Bent Struggles for Goals
The only surprise aspect of Aston Villa’s goals in the Everton draw was a lack of involvement from Darren Bent. The forward continues to struggle for goals under new boss Alex McLeish and although the Midlands outfit have been defensively more solid, their star forward has found the net just once so far this season. Gabby Agbonlahor, at 6.5 in comparsion to Bent’s 10.0, grabbed Villa’s last equaliser and is offering far better value for money right now, though Bent has shown time and again it’s never good idea to write him off.
