Robin Van Persie grabs the winner for United in a day that sees Arsenal, City and Spurs all fail to find the net. Loic Remy fires Newcastle to victory at the Lane, with Tim Krul proving an unbeatable barrier in goal, whilst Wilfried Bony bags a brace as Swansea and Stoke share the spoils in a six-goal thriller at the Liberty.
Van Persie’s Scoring Streak Extended
The Dutchman scored for the fourth Gameweek in a row as United got the better of league leaders Arsenal. With Per Mertesacker sidelined by flu, Thomas Vermaelen took his place alongside Laurent Koscielny in the heart of the Gunners backline but the duo were unable to prevent their former team-mate from heading home the match-winner in the first period. With the maximum bonus also accrued, Van Persie’s ascent up the forward ranking continues – he is now just two points behind Wayne Rooney in the FPL standings but the latter’s assist also kept his points ticking over, with attacking returns in seven of the last nine now.
Games against Spurs and Everton in the next three look testing but with the schedule looking kinder after the Gameweek 14 clash against the Toffees (NEW, avl, WHM, hul, nor), the United front two look set to be afforded further opportunity to pick up the points. At the back, United’s first clean sheet since Gameweek 4 came at a cost as Nemanja Vidic was subbed off after sustaining a head injury in a collision with David De Gea – after the game, his manager revealed he has gone to hospital for scans but is expected “to be okay”.
Remy the Newcastle Talisman
It’s seven goals in as many games now for the Frenchman after he struck the only goal in yesterday’s win at the Lane. Having beaten Chelsea in the previous Gameweek, Alan Pardew retained a 4-4-2 formation, with Remy partnered by Shola Ameobi up top – incredibly, the 1-0 victory means the Magpies have already won more times on the road this season than they managed over the entirety of 2012/13. With back-to-back wins under their belt, confidence will be high as Newcastle now prepare for a couple of enticing home encounters with Norwich and West Brom – Remy has now played a part in eight of his side’s 15 goals this season and is poised for significant investment ahead of the Canaries clash, with owners of Romelu Lukaku perhaps eyeing up a move for the 7.7 priced forward as Everton’s fixtures take a turn for the worse.
Tottenham’s Toils Up Top Continue
Yesterday’s 1-0 home defeat means Spurs have notched just nine times in the opening 11 matches – only the bottom three have scored less. Foiled time and again by the heroics of Tim Krul in the visitors’ goal, Andre Villas-Boas’ side can consider themselves a little unlucky, though; the Dutchman’s 13 saves is a league record for the season – bettering David Marshall’s 11, which also came against Spurs back in Gameweek 5. Once again, Villas-Boas’ tinkered with his XI, bringing in Christian Eriksen and Gylfi Sigurdsson to the attacking midfield three; further indication he has yet to strike a balance within his starting line-up. Up next for Spurs, City, United, Liverpool and Southampton await in the next six; those still holding the likes of Roberto Soldado will surely be planning a quick escape as Tottenham continue to struggle to penetrate defences.
City’s Away Worries
Manuel Pellegrini’s side rolled up to the Stadium of Light in devastating form, having hit 12 goals in their last couple of matches against Norwich and CSKA Moscow at the Etihad. A resolute display by the hosts derailed Sergio Aguero’s scoring streak of seven goals in the previous five – the Argentine (who was drafted in by over 215,000 Fantasy managers last week) had only failed to pick up points once before when named in the starting line-up, back in Gameweek 3. City have now picked up four points from six road trips – a record superior only to the bottom five – but with back-to-back home games against Spurs and Swansea up next, Aguero’s owners will be optimistic yesterday’s blank was just a temporary setback.
Black Cats Backline Improving
Without a clean sheet all season, the visit of City hardly bred confidence in the Sunderland defence. With Wes Brown and Vito Mannone handed their first league starts of the season and Phil Bardsley shifting over to left-back to cover for the suspended Andreas Dossena, Gus Poyet’s side upset the odds with a vital victory – Bardsley’s match-winner means he has now scored in each of his last two in all competitions and continues his transformation under the new man in charge, after he was frozen out by Paulo Di Canio. With a new-look defence and a shift in formation to 4-1-4-1, Poyet’s side have now conceded just two goals in the last three Gameweeks – having now won each of their last three at home in all competitions, the Uruguayan has undoubtedly made an immediate impact. The upcoming schedule still remains testing – Chelsea and Spurs pay visit in the next four – but if the Wearsiders continue to improve, a kind-looking run from Gameweek 17 onwards could elevate their assets in our thinking.
Bony Starting to Settle
With Michu missing out through knee and ankle problems, Michael Laudrup needed his summer signing to step up against Stoke yesterday. In his first start since Gameweek 8, the Ivorian finally hinted at the form which persuaded his manager to pay £12 million for his services by bagging a brace in the 3-3 draw against Mark Hughes’ side – taking his tally to four goals for the season, double that of the stricken Spaniard. Now down to just 7.4 in FPL, Bony’s display has surely nailed down a starting berth for the Gameweek 12 trip to Fulham and with home games against Newcastle and Hull, supplemented with a trip to Norwich in the next five, he certainly has the platform to push on.
Potter Midfield Pick up the Points
As Mark Hughes’ side brace themselves for a run which includes four home games and a trip to Hull in the next six, a trio of their midfield assets all found the net at the Liberty. Jon Walters, Stephen Ireland and Charlie Adam – courtesy of a last-gasp spot-kick – earned the Potters a point in a game which saw cult favourite Marko Arnautovic withdrawn before the hour mark. Ireland, at just 4.7, has now started the last five in “the hole” under his former City boss and could be a real budget option should be retain his starting berth. Post-match, Hughes revealed Ireland was subbed off with a foot knock, while Arnautovic was withdrawn as he “couldn’t get in the game”. The result means Stoke have now managed a single clean sheet in seven, though, suggesting their defence may struggle to pick up the returns – up top, Peter Crouch chipped in with a pair of assists but with competition fierce in our three-man frontlines, a punt in midfield looks the safest way forward for those who fancy investing in Hughes’ outfit.
