A goal from Jermaine Defoe is enough for Spurs to see off Watford. Nemanja Vidic returns as Antonio Valencia is fielded at right-back for United’s draw at Valarenga, Edin Dzeko bags a brace in City’s stroll in Limerick, while Everton and Wigan both fall to defeat at the hands of Blackpool and Real Mallorca respectively:
Watford 0 Tottenham 1
Andre Villas-Boas continued with the 4-2-3-1 formation which has served his side over all their games thus far – Jermaine Defoe’s predatory instincts made the difference after he nodded home a Kyle Walker cross in the second-half. Priced at 7.5 in FPL, Defoe is an intriguing prospect if he can nail down the lone forward role, particularly with such a strong opening schedule – certainly, the club’s attempts to acquire Emmanuel Adebayor on a permanent basis seem to be weakening by the day right now and, with Gareth Bale, Gylffi Sigurdsson and Rafael Van der Vaart battling for our midfield attention, whoever finally lands the lone forward role at Tottenham for the season ahead will undoubtedly be a popular pick amongst Fantasy managers. Sigurdsson and Jan Vertonghen were introduced after the break yesterday, with the club’s official website heralding the Belgian’s ability to bring the ball out from defence and instigate attacks. The clean sheet means Spurs have conceded just two goals in five games under Villas-Boas, suggesting their backline perhaps has the ability to adapt to their manager’s tactics a little better than his former club Chelsea.
Spurs Starting XI: Friedel (Cudicini, 46); Naughton (Walker, 46), Kaboul, Gallas (Vertonghen, 46), Assou-Ekotto; Jenas (Sigurdsson, 46), Livermore (Bentley, 79); Carroll (Huddlestone, 66), Lennon, Bale (Townsend, 75); Defoe (Kane, 66).
Wigan 0 Real Mallorca 2
Roberto Martinez handed new boy Ivan Ramis a start in the back-three but despite their possession game dominating play, Wigan were caught on the counter and slumped to their first pre-season defeat yesterday afternoon. Whilst Mauro Boselli’s recent goal spree has hogged the headlines, Martinez handed Franco Di Santo the chance to lead the line for the Latics. Di Santo was a strong threat over the first 45 before making way for Boselli at the break – he had three chances, with an effort ruled out, while Boselli failed to impress in the second-half.
Wigan Starting XI: Al Habsi; Ramis (Lopez 45), Caldwell, Alcaraz; Boyce (Stam 45), McCarthy (Fyvie 86), Gomez, Beausejour; Maloney, Moses, Di Santo (Boselli 45)
Limerick 0 Man City 4
Yet again, City rolled out a 3-5-2 formation, as Roberto Mancini handed some of his Euro 2012 contingent game time yesterday. Edin Dzeko gave his manager food for thought after bagging a brace in his first start of pre-season – while clearly short of sharpness, the Bosnian is perhaps currently ahead of Mario Balotelli in the pecking order up front. Neither Balotelli or David Silva have featured at all in pre-season, with the suggestion that both could be a doubt for the season kick-off. It could also mean that Dzeko could be handed game time if Sergio Aguero or Carlos Tevez needs replacing during games right now – once Baltotelli gets his fitness up to speed, however, he is surely set to vie with Tevez for starts. With regards to formation and frontman options, next Sunday’s Community Shield will hopefully shed more light on Mancini’s thinking ahead of the season opener with Southampton.
Man City Starting XI: Pantilimon; Evans (Wabara 57), McGivern (Lopes 46), Lescott; Boyata, Milner, Nasri (Scapuzzi 32), Suarez, Clichy; Dzeko (Bunn 70), Santa Cruz,(Facey 73).
Valeranga 0 Man United 0
Nemanja Vidic was handed an hour’s game time in his first start for eight months as United played out a stalemate in Norway. The worrying news for Fantasy managers was the sight of Antonio Valencia beginning the match as a right-back – Nani was afforded the right wing role in his first outing since Euro 2012, while Anders Lindegaard got the nod over David De Gea between the posts. Ashley Young started on the left, while Wayne Rooney was partnered by Danny Welbeck up top as Sir Alex Ferguson rolled out a 4-4-2. The latter spurned several opportunities to find the net before making way for Shinji Kagawa on the hour mark, as United moved to 4-4-1-1. Playing in “the hole”, the Japanese midfielder’s creativity caught the eye – he twice provided chances for his team mates but United – despite their dominance –continued to flounder in front of goal and had to settle for a draw. Ferguson’s side have found the net just three times in four pre-season matches thus far, though the upside is their defensive displays – the Old Trafford outfit have registered a trio of clean sheets over those games but their resilience will be firmly out to the test on Wednesday when they square up to Barcelona.
Man United Starting XI: Lindegaard; Valencia, Vidic (Anderson 61), Ferdinand, Keane; Nani, Carrick, Scholes (Powell 75), Young (Lingard 75); Rooney (Hernandez76), Welbeck (Kagawa 61).
Blackpool 2 Everton 0
Nikica Jelavic and Steven Naismith started for the first time together since the latter’s summer move from Glasgow Rangers and the pair offered some glimpses of their previous partnership at Ibrox before the Croatian was subbed off at the break. Steven Pienaar was afforded his first game time since returning to the club from Tottenham and teed up Marouane Fellaini to net in the second minute but the effort was ruled out for offside. Naismith and Leon Osman both came close in the second-half but with David Moyes making a host of changes after the break, Everton fell off the pace and slumped to their first defeat in four pre-season matches.
Everton Starting XI: Mucha, Neville, Heitinga, Duffy (Bidwell), Baines (Garbutt); Coleman, Fellaini (Vellios), Gibson (Barkley), Pienaar (Osman 46); Naismith (Rodwell 70); Jelavic (Anichebe 46).
