Michu delivers again to punish those who placed the captaincy on a Sunderland arm, as Fernando Torres steps up to spank Martin O’Neill’s beleaguered Black Cats. With Reading blanking at Southampton, this was a day of double Gameweek disappointment, with many of us now looking forlornly for midweek returns. For now, here’s the Stock Check on Saturday six offerings…
On the Up
Fernando Torres
An outstanding day for the Spaniard who suggested he could yet be revived under the stewardship of Rafa Benitez. A calm volleyed finish handed Chelsea the lead at the Stadium of Light, with a converted a spot-kick notching a second before half-time. The penalty was taken by Torres despite Eden Hazard being on the pitch – clearly, having missed in Europe in midweek, the Belgian has now relinquished duties to Torres which boosts his stock. It remains to be seen if he keeps them once Frank Lampard earn starts. With an assist thrown in, today was Torres’ biggest Fantasy points haul of the season.
Juan Mata
A sixth goal of the season and his second in consecutive matches continued to see Mata stand head and shoulders above Eden Hazard as the weapon of choice in Chelsea’s midfield. A blank in Gameweek 17 will temper investment but, despite Hazard’s assist for Torres’ opener, Mata currently looks set to earn back some of the ownership he lost having been subject to recent rotation.
Michu
How much higher can this man’s stock really climb? Michu is now the leading scorer in the Premier League with 12 goals, an outstanding return for a midfielder who began the season priced at just 6.5. He has since exploded but even at 7.8, there are few players who appear as essential as the Swansea man.
Sebastian Bassong
A third goal of the season – all of which have arrived in a four Gameweek spell, continued Bassong’s incredible run of form. Firmly established in the Canaries backline, his threat from set-plays, coupled with a newfound solidity under Chris Hughton, is shaping the former Spurs man into a bargain at 4.7 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL).
Robert Snodgrass
A superb deadball strike followed on from two assists in the Canaries unlikely win at Swansea, as the former Leeds man took his turn to stand out amongst the Canaries midfield. Fantasy managers are still struggling to find a single target in Hughton’s outfit but Snodgrass put in a strong application today with a quality contribution and a big points haul.
Jason Puncheon
A second goal of the season for Puncheon who has now started the last six for Nigel Adkins’ side. With five assists to his name and a price tag of just 4.6, Puncheon continues to thrive and emerge as a very strong budget option in the FPL, which could allow Raheem Sterling owners to cash in on the Liverpool man’s recent price hike. A blank in Gameweek 17 could keep Puncheon’s ownership in check, for now.
Nathaniel Clyne
The young full-back delivered his second assist of the season for Puncheon’s strike, whilst registering a second clean sheet in four matches. In that four Gameweek spell, Southampton have conceded just two goals. At 4.0, Clyne is another budget defender in ascendency.
Adam Johnson
A second league goal of the season provided a consolation for Martin O’Neill’s side in the defeat to Chelsea, whilst rewarding those who risked drafting in the winger over other targets in the Sunderland lineup.
The Villa Defence
A clean sheet against Stoke was perhaps anticipated but doesn’t detract from the fact that Paul Lambert’s side have now conceded just a single goal in their last four league outings. Away games at Liverpool and Chelsea up next, will doubtless dampen the enthusiasm but Villa’s back four is one to watch.
Mikel Arteta
Two goals from the spot takes Arteta to three for the season and may just have Fantasy managers taking notice. At 7.7 in the FPL, attention seems unlikely but, in the Sky Sports effort, where Arteta is the leading bonus point scorer, his stock is going through the roof.
Going Down
Steven Fletcher
The ankle injury sustained at Norwich last weekend kept the Scot out of the home clash with Chelsea and reduced his double Gameweek to a single. He’ll hopefully be in contention for the midweek meeting with Reading, to offer at least some reward for those who backed him for the Black Cats’ double-header.
The Sunderland Defence
Breached early on by Chelsea, hopes of strong returns from investment in the likes of Simon Mignolet and Carlos Cuellar were dashed, as the visitors ran riot. The Black Cats have now conceded 13 goals in their last seven with just one clean sheet in that run – against the bottom club QPR. Reading will fancy their chances on Tuesday.
The Swansea Defence
Having looked to be showing an improvement in recent weeks, keeping two clean sheets in the last four, today they were shambolic and had no answer to Norwich’s crosses and aerial threat. Scout Pick, Ben Davies, did at least deliver the assist for Michu’s strike.
Liam Ridgewell
Restored to the side post “toilet-gate”, the left-back lasted just a few minutes at the Emirates before being forced off through injury. We await the prognosis but, with obliging fixtures to come, Ridgewell’s owners will be concerned.
Adam Lallana
Another injury victim, the Saints’ skipper was forced off in the first-half of the clash with Reading with a reported knee problem. With a blank in Gameweek 17, sales of the talented midfielder look likely, regardless of his prognosis.
Sean Morrison
The young centre-back had looked so promising in his run of starts for Reading, notching twice from set-plays. An injury sustained in the defeat to Southampton could now make Morrison a doubt for the midweek trip to Sunderland to frustrate those who took a chance on his potential for the double Gameweek.
Oscar & Eden Hazard
Oscar was always third in the pecking order when it came to Chelsea’s three musketeers but now, under Rafa’s regime, he has perhaps slipped further, despite a sparkling appearance from the bench. Victor Moses was again preferred as a starter at Sunderland, for the third game running. As for Eden Hazard, he seems to have relinquished spot-kick duties and his owners had to watch Juan Mata convert his second goal in consecutive matches to take him to six for the season, leaving Hazard in his wake.
Cesar Azpilicueta
We anticipated that the Spaniard’s stay in Chelsea’s lineup was limited and today we got further evidence to suggest that is the case. Relegated to the bench Gary Cahill and David Luiz starting and Branislav Ivanovic at right-back, it seems that Azpilicueta is destined for a cameo role, particularly considering that John Terry is nearing a return.
