With this eveningโs encounter at the Etihad set to draw a line under the Gameweek, we look at the lessons learned over the weekendโs nine fixtures:
Kevin Mirallas has a free-kick in his ever-improving lockerโฆ.
With Leighton Baines standing by, the Belgian strode forward and struck a stunning winner from dead-ball distance. Itโs three goals in four now for Mirallas, who has flourished since being shifted to a central position โ first as a replacement for Ross Barkley in โthe holeโ and now as the lone forward, with Romelu Lukaku and Lacina Traore stuck in the Toffees treatment room. With free-kicks around the box added to his repertoire, he has the form to benefit from a schedule including Palace, West Ham, Cardiff and Swansea in their next four home games.
Ben Arfa for Cabaye is not a like for likeโฆ
Dispossessed and punished for Sunderlandโs killer third goal, Ben Arfaโs ability to drop into midfield and offer defensive cover is not in the same bracket as his compatriot โ neither is his ability as an assured ball carrier. Heโs also anything but a leader on the pitch. Newcastle were devoid of ideas and toothless without Yohan Cabaye and Loic Remy and Ben Arfa remains a puzzle for Pardew to solve. The Newcastle boss is talking of reverting โback to basicsโ in order to cope with Cabayeโs loss to PSG โ does Ben Arfa fit that approach?
Never mind Johnson, Mannone is Poyetโs other miracleโฆ
Adam Johnsonโs form has stirred the headline makers but Vito Mannone returned his fifth double figure return of the season in Saturdayโs win at Newcastle. The former Arsenal stopper has now earned seven clean sheets in 14 starts under Gus Poyet โ crucially, that includes 17 points gathered from 67 saves in total. With trips to City, Arsenal and Liverpool in the next five, Johnsonโs may struggle to replicate his recent goalscoring heroics but Mannone, certainly, looks likely to be kept a busy man between the posts โ shut-outs could be hard to come by but save points seem guaranteed.
West Hamโs season could depend on the FA verdictโฆ
Andy Carroll needed less than an hour to show just what he brings to the Hammers attack before an altercation with Chico Flores saw him sent packing. Providing an assist for both Kevin Nolanโs strikes against the Swans, he looks integral to his sideโs survival prospects, with his contribution in both boxes forging confidence in the team from back to front. Sam Allardyce has already slapped in an appeal but if Carroll is forced to sit out the next three, West Hamโs fortunes, and Nolanโs Fantasy prospects, are set for a turn for the worse.
19th century football is good for Fantasy defencesโฆ
Having โout-tactickedโ Jose Mourinho in the midweek stalemate at the Bridge, Big Sam steered his side to their eleventh clean sheet of the season against Swansea. While The Special One may have bemoaned the Hammers approach, the visitors resilience brought forth some timely alternatives for our defences. With club captain Winston Reid cementing his comeback from injury with an appearance off the bench, Big Sam may well be looking to grind out a few more shut-outs should Carrollโs suspension remain intact โ Reid, at 4.7, and 4.3-pirced stopper Adrian offer escape routes for those looking to offload Sunderlandโs assets, with the next six Gameweeks (avl, NOR, SOT, eve, HUL, sot) smiling kindly on the Hammers.
Whittinghamโs start is under threat and the fans donโt mindโฆ
Subbed off much to the approval of a section of the Cardiff crowd, Whittinghamโs game time looks in question from this point onwards. Withdrawn just 38 minutes into the Norwich match, he watched on as replacement Wilfried Zaha helped turn the game around and earn Ole Gunnar Solskjaer his first league points since taking the helm. With a handful of kind fixtures up next, the new manager will surely turn to the on loan wide man to provide the attacking impetus that can fire his side to safety.
The Saints go marching onโฆ
Quite simply, Southamptonโs form looks too good to ignore. Adam Lallanaโs strike at Fulham took his recent average to eight points per game in the last four league appearances, with a goal or assist in six of the previous eight. At 6.5, Jay Rodriguez remains the best value forward in the FPL game โ producing attacking returns in 10 of the last 18 after a barren first six Gameweeks. Rickie Lambert also rose up the rankings with a 15-point haul, whilst a clean sheet at the Cottage brings their defence back into focus. One look at the fixtures shows why. Over the next six Gameweeks, the Saints face five of the sides currently residing in the bottom half of the table โ investment in Mauricio Pochettinoโs main men looks vital.
Rooneyโs appeal may be diminishingโฆ
Since returning from injury, Robin Van Persie has been quick to rediscover his goal touch for United. The Dutchman struck in back-to-back games, whilst Juan Mata has provided the expected creativity, with an assist in each of his appearances for the Old Trafford outfit. Wayne Rooney, on the other hand, remains subdued. Previously a popular option alongside Luis Suarez and Sergio Aguero for those rolling out a โPower Threeโ frontline earlier in the season, Rooney has been utilised in a more withdrawn role in both appearances since his injury return and, with Van Persie and Mata providing immediate returns, he could be the odd man out for those eyeing up Unitedโs assets over the next few matches.
