An extraordinary day of football is dominated by Luis Suarez’s bearing his teeth in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Anfield. Whilst the Premier League’s leading scorer emerged from his recent goal drought to seal a late point, disciplinary action for an apparent bite on Branislav Ivanovic looks on the cards. Meanwhile, at the Lane, Gareth Bale comes good to maintain his incredible consistency and Tottenham’s Champions League claims, possibly handing the title to United tomorrow night in the process. Here’s the Stock Check on Sunday’s events.
On the Up
Gareth Bale
Subdued for 75 minutes today, Bale predictably played a big role in Tottenham’s revival, providing Clint Dempsey’s equaliser before adding a superbly taken third to put the game to bed. Bale recovered from an ankle injury to make a return to the starting XI today and has now scored or assisted in eight of his last nine league matches. There’s little doubt that he is already the hottest property ahead of Gameweek 36, with Fantasy managers surely looking for a “route to recruit” in time for that, or even next weekend’s trip to Wigan.
Jermain Defoe
The introduction of Defoe provided the catalyst the dramatic White Hart Lane turnaround. Having enjoyed early season form, Defoe could now find himself handed the opportunity of a late flourish having notched his eleventh of the season in today’s win. Defoe could well be a daring differential for Tottenham’s Gameweek 36 double.
Daniel Sturridge
The former Chelsea man started life on the bench but emerged to springboard the Liverpool revival with an effervescent display, capped by goal and assist returns. Sturridge will surely be in the driving seat for starts over the remaining four matches, particularly if Suarez earns retribution from the FA for the second half incident involving Ivanovic.
Juan Mata & Eden Hazard
Both Mata and Hazard continue to be integral to Chelsea’s fortunes and, having returned points in the win at Fulham in midweek, the pair were again in profit at Anfield. Mata’s dead-ball delivery provided two further assists to take him to 16 for the season, while Hazard stroked home his ninth goal this term, benefitting from spot-kick duties with Frank Lampard benched. It remains to be seen if Rafa Benitez’s rotation policy dents the output of the pair for Chelsea’s double Gameweek, but there’s little doubt that there will be plenty of Fantasy managers willing to take the risk in the search for a major last gasp haul.
Going Down
Luis Suarez
While the Uruguayan came away with goal and assist returns to end his recent barren spell, the incident involving Branislav Ivanovic, in which he appeared to bite the Chelsea defender, was an extraordinary act that will surely put Suarez in serious disciplinary trouble. The striker has previous in this area – having been banned for seven matches whilst with Ajax in the Dutch leagues. Any charge from the FA would likely lead to a ban that would end his season and possibly spill over to the next. We can only await developments.
Sergio Aguero
An unused substitute at the Lane today, few Fantasy managers will be contemplating taking a risk on the Argentine until we see his fitness confirmed by a City start. Aguero had looked a prime asset for the Gameweek 36 double but, unless he is given the nod against West Ham next weekend, it seems unlikely that many will be prepared to gamble on getting two matches from Aguero in Gameweek 36.
David Silva
The impish Spaniard is another who will have been targeted for consideration ahead of City’s double fixtures but he too missed out in today’s encounter. Reports confirmed that, while Silva’s hamstring was no longer an issue, he rolled his ankle in training, keeping him out of today’s matchday squad.
Emmanuel Adebayor
Hauled off on 71 minutes, his departure coincided with the Spurs revival that saw them strike three quick-fire goals. With Defoe taking his opportunity, Adebayor’s miserable season back in Spurs colours looks to be compounded by a spell on the bench, with the Togo international now far from certain of a start at Wigan next weekend.
Demba Ba
The Senegal striker looked likely to earn a start at Anfield but Rafa Benitez chose instead to go with Fernando Torres for the second consecutive match. Torres disappointed again and investment in either player continues to look ill-advised as both continue to rotate according to Rafa’s now unpredictable schedule.
