Carlos Tevez returns to help City see off Chelsea and stay just a point behind United. Thomas Vermaelen notches again as Arsenal’s six-match winning run sees them overtake Spurs in third, Rafael Van der Vaart’s snatches a late equaliser at the Lane, while Liverpool continue to struggle at the back in the absence of Daniel Agger.
Carlos Tevez
A 24 minute cameo from the bench was enough for the Argentine to present evidence that City’s title tilt could depend on his contribution from here on in. Tevez was immaculate in possession and it was his intelligence and perfectly timed reverse pass into the path of Samir Nasri that opened up the Chelsea back four for the winning goal. Fantasy managers must now assess the impact of Tevez’ return on the City frontline, which now seems set for increased rotation. Roberto Mancini will surely be tempted to turn to Tevez for the testing trip to Stoke this weekend but has suggested that the striker is still some way from full fitness. From his post-match comments, we can expect to see Tevez used from bench once again at the Britannia…
Carlos is two or three weeks away from full fitness but he showed his football brain in the minutes that he was on the pitch…He will be an important player for us. He has been back a month now and is in the dressing room happy like all the players.
Mario Balotelli
While Tevez re-introduced himself as a potential Fantasy asset, Balotelli’s stock took a nose dive with an impetuous display, epitomised by a snatched effort when put through one-on-one with Petr Cech. Balotelli’s frustration boiled over and led to him being replaced at half-time as Mancini introduced Gareth Barry to his midfield, pushing Yaya Toure up in support of Sergio Aguero. Mancini admitted
I didn’t like the way Mario played in the first half so I made a tactical substitution.
Having emerged as a regular starter in recent weeks, there must now be doubts over Balotelli’s role in the side, with Tevez pushing for starts and minutes from the bench. Edin Dzeko also saw action in last night’s game and his height may well be called up for the Britannia visit. It seems likely that Mario will be given at least a week off, then.
Samir Nasri
The former Arsenal man has struggled to replicate his Emirates performances but last night’s display, capped by the winning goal, suggested that he may yet need to be considered in Fantasy terms. Nasri was City’s bright spark throughout and was unfortunate not to find the net with a first sublime first half effort that sailed over a hapless Cech, only to find the Etihad crossbar. While David Silva continues to struggle to produce returns, Nasri looked to offer a sharper cutting edge and, if we can be more secure about his starting role, will be a differential worth considering over the run-in. While Mancini recognised the performance of the Frenchman, he also suggested that he expected more from the playmaker…
Samir played his best game for us but he can do better. He can be as good as David Silva and Xavi. He is that type of player and still young so he can improve a lot.
Gareth Bale
While Spurs continue to struggle to find form, the Welshman does his best to drag Harry Redknapp’s side out of their slumber. A superb cross for Rafael Van der Vaart’s equaliser was the highlight of another strong display by Bale, after earlier being denied a second half goal by the woodwork. While confidence in Bale will be declining amongst Fantasy managers, his level of performance against Stoke was high and suggested that he remains a prime asset which should flourish again if Spurs can rediscover some confidence and form.
Rafael Van der Vaart
Recalled to the starting lineup, the Dutchman stooped to head a vital equaliser late on and provided a persistent threat on the Stoke goal throughout. Peppering the opponents goal, Van der Vaart looked dangerous and could well be in Redknapp’s plans for the trip to Chelsea. Like Nasri, Van der Vaart may well sneak back into our Fantasy thinking as a short-term differential if he can cement a starting role. A start at Stamford Bridge looks likely with Redknapp confirming that Emmanuel Adebayor remains a doubt, having missed last night’s game with a hamstring injury.
Thomas Vermaelen
The Belgian climbed to power home his fifth goal of the season in last night’s 1-0 victory at Goodison – proof once again of his substantial goal threat from both open play and set-pieces. While the attention of Fantasy managers has been drawn to the raiding runs of Bacary Sagna of late, Vermaelen undoubtedly offers the potential for heavier profit – it’s his hefty price tag that remains the obstacle to acquisition. However, Arsenal are showing real progress having won six league games on the trot and the back four are beginning look more resolute. Wenger took time to recognise the efforts of his back four in his post-match comments:
We were resilient, focused and showed a great desire to defend – our defence played very well tonight… We defended well on crosses – something which is not usually our strong point – and overall we never panicked.
Last night was their first clean sheet in six league games but, with some kind fixtures to come, that record may well improve. That may well tempt investment with Vermaelen emerging as a potential differential – a defender capable of fetching defensive returns with the likelihood of one or two more goals before the season end.
Liverpool Defence
With Fantasy managers loading up on Liverpool players for their Gameweek 28 double fixture, many would have gone into last night’s fixture at QPR with at least one installed in their squad. With the final quarter of the game remaining, a clean sheet looked likely, only for Kenny Dalglish’s side to capitulate and concede three soft goals. The loss of Dan Agger to a rib injury appears to have derailed the back four: they’ve now kept just a single clean sheet in the last five league games – against Everton at Anfield. A home fixture with Wigan this weekend offers a reprieve – fail to achieve a shut-out in that one and we’re likely to see steady sales of their defensive assets with the likes of Vermaelen under consideration.
