Antonio Valencia continues his return to form with a double-figure points haul at Old Trafford, though it’s a certain Bulgarian who steals the show. Juan Mata again demonstrates his preference for home comforts, Demba Ba’s consistency helps send Bolton to defeat, while Leighton Baines’ Fantasy owners may be sending Howard Webb a belated Christmas present:
Dimitar Berbatov
While Javier Hernandez failed to play a part in any of his side’s 5 goals, the Bulgarian – in only his second start of the season- served a reminder of his capabilities with a hat-trick against Wigan. Wayne Rooney was afforded just less than half an hour by Sir Alex Ferguson and also failed to get amongst the points, with Berbatov firing home a penalty for his third despite Rooney being on the pitch. While many Fantasy managers have been concerned over Robin Van Persie’s possible game time this festive period, Rooney’s omission was a huge shock –and blow- to those who acquired his services for the champions’ favourable run of Christmas fixtures. Given he was benched for this one, though, Rooney looks more assured of a start on New Years Eve at home to Blackburn.
Antonio Valencia
Injuries to others meant the Ecuadorian was forced to play at right-back but he continued his run of consistent points hauls since coming back into the United first XI. Valencia’s goal and assist in the 5-0 romp over Wigan means he has now contributed 6 assists and a goal in his last four matches and can, once again, be expected to return bonus points for his performance. With Ji-Sung Park drafted into the first-team, Nani was shifted back over to the right and, while the Portuguese winger failed to fire, the former mirrored Valencia’s returns in his first start since gameweek 12.
Anders Lindegaard
David de Gea was given the day off yet again, with Lindegaard getting the nod between the sticks. He maintained a remarkable record of recording a clean sheet in every appearance so far this season, with 5 out of 5. Bearing in mind that he has never played two games in a row this season, the chances of Lindegaard keeping his place for the game against Blackburn is perhaps dubious.
Juan Mata
The Chelsea man continued his habit of plundering the points at Stamford Bridge, bagging the Blues only goal in a frustrating 1-1 draw with Fulham. Mata has scored all 4 of his goals and provided 5 of 7 assists in front of the home faithful. Daniel Sturridge’s recent fine run of form came to an unexpected halt, with the forward failing to score of assist for the first time since gameweek 11. Chelsea were unlucky to grab the 3 points, with an inspired display from David Stockdale preventing them from triumphing- the Cottagers keeper made 12 saves in a brilliant display for the visitors.
Clint Dempsey
There’s little doubt Fulham’s fixtures were, on paper, anything but straightforward of late but the American once again proved how pivotal a figure he is for Martin Jol’s side. Dempsey bagged the winner against Liverpool a few weeks back and his equaliser at the Bridge means he has netted 3 times in his last five appearances. With Norwich, Blackburn, Newcastle and West Brom to come in four of his next five, Dempsey has every chance of continuing his recent goalscoring antics.
Martin Skrtel
The Reds were denied a fourth consecutive clean sheet by a Charlie Adam own goal but Skrtel’s potential for points at both ends of the pitch continues to grow. An assist in the surprise 1-1 home draw with Blackburn means Skrtel has now – pre-bonus- averaged 8 point per game over his last four appearances, and with just 3.4% ownership, compared to Jose Enrique’s 37.3%, he’s proving a handy differential in the Reds’ resolute back-four.
Demba Ba
Another game, another goal for the Newcastle forward as Alan Pardew’s side picked up their first win in seven matches. Ba has now scored 14 goals in his last 13 games in a run that has seen his fail to score or assist on only three occasions. Up next, however, are clashes with Liverpool and Man United, and with Ba then set to depart for the African Cup of Nations, his Fantasy owners have something of a quandary on their hands- do they jump ship now or hold until he’s no longer unavailable for selection? There’s no doubt the fixtures are against him but Ba has already netted against the likes of Spurs and United this term and assisted against Man City- clearly, he’s capable of producing regardless of opponent.
Ryan Taylor
Taylor may have lost his starting place to Davide Santon last week but an injury to the Italian allowed him to return to the Newcastle first XI for the trip to Bolton. Taylor had picked up just 6 points in the previous six gameweeks but an assist, in addition to a clean sheet in the 2-0 Reebok triumph, proved dividend for his 32% of Fantasy owners. The 100,000+ managers who shipped him out over the last couple of gameweeks will perhaps be ruing their decision- Santon may find it difficult to dislodge him once again ahead of Friday’s trip to Anfield.
Leon Osman
The Everton midfielder once again played a crucial part for David Moyes’ side as the Toffees fought back to defy Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Having scored both his side’s goals over the previous couple of gameweeks, Osman continued his run of attacking returns, by providing an assist for Leighton Baines’ spot-kick equaliser. There’s no doubt, however, the decision by Howard Webb to award the penalty for a foul on Osman was, shall we say, more than a little fortuitous; the midfielder certainly seems to trip over his own feet in the build-up to the goal, with no Sunderland challenge apparent. Baines’ owners will be more than a little happy here; he’s already on 8 FPL points and could hit double figures if the bonus points fall his way. In a gameweek that has proved frustrating so far, the left-back’s potential haul could be game-changing to many a Fantasy manager, with the FPL cup also underway.
Stephane Sessegnon
Fielded up front alongside Nicklas Bendtner again, Sessegnon provided an assist for the Black Cats opener to follow his goal at QPR last week. He certainly seems to be benefitting from Martin O’Neill’s arrival- this is only the second time this season that Sessegnon has returned attacking points in back-to-back gameweeks. Pre-bonus, he sits on 75 FPL points, only 3 behind Seb Larsson, despite his previous inconsistencies.
