Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini are Everton’s chief protagonists as the Toffees sweep into the Fourth Round with a clinical demolition of Cheltenham. Sam Allardyce hopes to have Andy Carroll and Mohamed Diame back in time for West Ham’s Third Round replay with United next week, Togo have announced Emmanuel Adebayor is set to participate in the upcoming African Cup of Nations, while Mario Balotelli steps up his fitness with a brace for City’s Under 21 side…
Cheltenham 1 Everton 5
David Moyes named a strong look lineup as the Toffees ran riot at Cheltenham. Everton’s main Fantasy assets all served a reminder of their capabilities ahead of an enticing run of four fixtures last night. Leighton Baines produced a goal and assist, Marouane Fellaini also found the net in addition to supplying a pair of assists, while Nikica Jelavic and Leon Osman were also on the score sheet. Furthermore, Seamus Coleman capped his comeback from a hamstring injury with a fine strike and Victor Anichebe provided a pair of assists. Steven Pienaar was given the night off, with Bryan Oviedo handed the left wing berth, though the latter moved to left-back just after the hour mark as Baines made way for Magaye Gueye. Post-match, the Everton boss revealed the reason behind Baines’ withdrawal, suggesting he is likely to be cautious with the left-back who is struggling with an ankle problem…
“Leighton’s got a bad ankle problem which I need to watch and be careful with. I felt we needed him against Cheltenham because we had to respect the players at this level.”
It’s difficult to gauge whether that will make Baines an immediate doubt for the weekend clash with Swansea. It seems unlikely that Moyes would field Baines in an FA Cup tie, having rested the likes of Pienaar, if he felt there was real concern over his fitness. Perhaps it’s more likely that Moyes was explaining the reason behind Baines’ withdrawal, rather than outlining and injury that could threaten Baines’ pitch-time in the league. We can only await updates from Goodison on Friday.
In Other News
Sam Allardyce has revealed he is hopeful both Andy Carroll and Mohamed Diame could return to action in time for West Ham’s FA Cup Third Round replay with United a week on Wednesday. The Carroll news is of particular significance ahead of the Hammers’ upcoming double Gameweek 23 against QPR and Arsenal – having failed to feature since Gameweek 14 after sustaining a knee injury, his return could scupper the plans of Fantasy managers eyeing up 4.9 priced Carlton Cole as a cut-price third forward for the double. When fit, Carroll has been handed a start in the Hammers’ first XI, though a goal and assist in 10 appearances is indicative of his limited impact since arriving at Upton Park last summer – at 8.2 in FPL, few will be willing to take a punt, though with Marouane Chamakh unavailable for the Gunners showdown due to the conditions of his loan deal, Allardyce could choose to select the Moroccan for the first game against QPR as he eases Carroll back into action. Ricardo Vaz Te, at 5.1, may be the safest option for those eyeing up the West Ham frontmen, with a role on the flank unaffected by the Carroll news, although both Joe Cole and Matt Jarvis are also in the mix for roles flanking the lone striker.
The Togo FA have reported that Emmanuel Adebayor has already flown to their training camp ahead of the upcoming African Cup of Nations. Uncertainty still remains over his participation in the event, with Tottenham yet to officially confirm his availability and while his potential absence would leave the club with just Jermain Defoe as their one recognised forward over the next few Gameweeks, it’s likely to boost Clint Dempsey’s chances of game time. Dempsey played just 32 minutes over the previous four league fixtures, yet has still managed to score or assist in five of his last seven – with a brace and an assist in the weekend’s 3-0 FA Cup win over Coventry, the US international is certainly staking a claim for his inclusion should Adebayor indeed depart for national duties.
Kolo Toure has revealed his brother Yaya is “back on his feet” after being hospitalised with a flu virus prior to their first training session with the Ivory Coast squad. Initial reports suggest there is no return date pencilled in for the midfielder’s return to training but with the final squads set to be named tomorrow, his recovery eases fears of any possible absence for his country.
Staying with City and Mario Balotelli was amongst the goals in a surprise run out for the club’s U21 side yesterday. The Italian – who rarely featured during the festive schedule due to a virus – continued his reports by bagging a brace in a 4-0 win over Blackburn; with Sergio Aguero possibly set to be sidelined with a hamstring tear, Roberto Mancini’s forward options are somewhat limited, though yesterday’s display will have boosted Balotelli’s chances of perhaps threatening Carlos Tevez or Edin Dzeko from the starting XI as the champions make their way to Arsenal this upcoming Sunday; it seems more likely that we’ll see the Italian on the bench at the Emirates.
Daniel Sturridge appears to be giving us discussion points every 24-hours right now, as Fantasy managers monitor his potential in a new-look Liverpool forward line. Brendan Rodgers’ new signing brought us further thoughts on his likely selection for Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford, outlining his desire to work in tandem with Luis Suarez…
“It’s down to the manager which team he picks. I’m just here to train hard and whichever team he picks will be the one that is right tactically. I was quite tired against Mansfield as I haven’t been playing or training much over the last few months. But you are always fit enough to start a game against Manchester United. I’d love to play, but that’s down to the manager. If he chooses me then great, if not I’ll be looking to come on and make an impact…Luis is a good player. He shows you that every time he gets the ball. I was watching him from the bench on Sunday, and you can see his quality. He likes to drive at and really get at defenders. It’s going to be a pleasure for me to play with him. I’m looking forward to us forming a formidable partnership against the teams we’ve got coming up soon.”
Many will be looking to Sturridge, priced at just 7.3 in the Fantasy Premier League game, as an option to cover the points produced by Luis Suarez in the hope that he can get close to the Uruguayan’s returns for the remainder of the season. Although that perhaps seems unlikely, a role as the central striker for Sturridge, with Suarez deployed deeper or flanking the former Chelsea man, will only promote that theory.
