Bryan Oviedo and Gerard Deulofeu dazzle in their first league starts for the Toffees. Aaron Ramsey bags a brace against his former club as Arsenal move further ahead of the chasing pack, Sam Allardyce changes formation and drops Ravel Morrison as the Hammers thrash Fulham, Yoan Gouffran impresses once again for Newcastle, while Michael Turner shifts to the bench as Norwich squeeze past Palace.
Oviedo and Deulofeu Stake a Claim
In their first league starts of the season, Bryan Oviedo and Gerard Deulofeu racked up the points in Everton’s home demolition of Stoke. The loss of Leighton Baines was meant to weaken the Toffees prospects, but Oviedo put in a star performance, serving up a goal and assist against the Potters as Roberto Martinez retained a four-man backline in the England star’s absence. A 4-0 win means the Merseysiders have now registered a clean sheet in four of the last five Gameweeks and, while trips to United and Arsenal diminish their short-term prospects, a run of four home matches in six from Gameweek 16 (FUL, swa, SUN, SOU, sto, NOR) suggests points could be a real possibility at both ends of the pitch.
Further up the field, on-loan Barcelona youngster Gerard Deulofeu got the nod ahead of Kevin Mirallas on the right of the front three and tormented Mark Hughes’ side with a stunning wing display. Having been gradually eased into action off the bench in recent weeks, he also chipped in with a goal and assist to suggest he could well steal plenty game time off Mirallas – frustratingly, though, Deulofeu is classified as a forward in FPL, practically extinguishing his appeal, with the Belgian’s owners now reconsidering their options after he was benched for the first time this term in spite of a double-figure haul in last week’s Merseyside derby. With Oviedo classed as a midfielder in the FPL, Saturday’s events at Goodison had little or no impact on our options within the Everton sqaud other than perhaps further limit the appeal of Mirallas.
Ramsey Rises to the Occasion
A return to former club Cardiff saw the midfielder bag a brace as Arsenal moved seven points clear of their title rivals. Having drawn blanks in each of the previous two, Ramsey had slightly stumbled heading into yesterday’s game against the Bluebirds, but he served up yet another comprehensive haul for his 59% Fantasy owners. Ramsey’s 15-point return was the fifth time he has produced double figures this season – those who have steadfastly refused to bring him into their Fantasy sides are being punished time and again, with Ramsey now up to 94 points for the season, more than his total from 2012/13.
The 3-0 result was also the Gunners’ fourth clean sheet in five as they continue to impress defensively – they have now conceded just seven goals since the 3-1 loss to Villa in Gameweek 1. While Wenger had hinted at rotation in midweek, his threat failed to materialise – the Arsenal boss named the same XI for the second league match in a row; only the second time he has done so this term.
Villa’s Resolute Backline
The return of Andreas Weimann and Gabby Agbonlahor to Villa’s XI failed to reignite Christian Benteke’s stuttering season but Paul Lambert’s backline once again delivered the points. A goalless draw at home to Sunderland was a third clean sheet in four for Brad Guzan and his defence, with Villa now up to five shut-outs for the campaign – equalling their tally for the entire 2012/13 season. The schedule remains strong for the midlands outfit – Fulham, Stoke and Palace in the next five bodes well for further defensive returns, though Nathan Baker owners will be eyeing up a move out after he was dropped from the XI to accommodate fit-again Antonio Luna at left-back.
Turner Ousted in Canaries Defensive Reshuffle
A 1-0 home win over Palace helped Norwich to their first clean sheet since Gameweek 9 yesterday. While many had anticipated a move to midfield for Martin Olsson due to injuries to Anthony Pilkington and Robert Snodgrass, the Swede retained the left-back berth, though Chris Hughton surprisingly omitted Michael Turner for the first time this term and brought back Seb Bassong alongside Ryan Bennett in the heart of th back-four. Bennett, at just 3.9 in FPL, has now started all three league matches since Norwich’s 7-0 mauling at City and seems to have persuaded his manager he’s worthy of a starting role – with home games against Swansea and Fulham on either side of a trip to Sunderland between Gameweeks 16-18, Hughton’s side will be confident of boosting their tally of three clean sheets so far.
Change in Shape Helps Hammers Find their Goal Touch
Having seen his side score just once in the previous four Gameweeks, Sam Allardyce’s decision to shift to a 4-2-3-1 formation for the visit of Fulham paid dividends yesterday. With Modibo Maiga leading the line and Kevin Nolan back in the role in “the hole”, the Hammers boss surprisingly dropped Ravel Morrison to the bench for the first time since Gameweek 3 – ending a run of nine straight starts for the budget midfield prospect. A 3-0 hammering of the Cottagers was even more comprehensive than it sounded – the hosts had 23 shots, with 12 on target, while Martin Jol’s men failed to trouble Jussi Jaaskelainen even once. After conceding three in each of the previous two fixtures, Allardyce could well decide to retain the same system ahead of games against Palace and Sunderland in the next three. Whilst those holding Hammers defensive options will be optimistic, Morrison’s owners will no doubt be concerned over his omission, in spite of the fact he climbed off the bench to provide a late assist.
A 4-4-2 Suits Gouffran
A fourth successive win took Newcastle into fifth last night as Alan Pardew’s side got the better of West Brom at St James’ Park. Whilst Loic Remy and Yohan Cabaye have hogged the majority of our Fantasy attention in recent weeks, Yoan Gouffran continues to remain firmly under the radar despite a series of impressive displays for the Tyneside team. The Frenchman’s opener against the Baggies was the third time he has scored in the last four Gameweeks and, with an assist also thrown in over that period, his ascent in form has been marked. Crucially, it’s coincided with a shift to 4-4-2, with Pardew partnering Remy and Shola Ameobi through the centre and allowing Gouffran the chance to drift in from the left and lend his weight to his side’s attacks. Although Gouffran is a very reasonable 6.3 in FPL, Remy’s 8.1 price tag is hard to overlook – he may have failed to find the net yesterday but served up an assist for his Fantasy owners, taking his tally to eight goals and two assists in just 11 appearances since arriving on loan from QPR.
