Seamus Coleman nets Everton’s late winner against Cardiff. David Silva dazzles as City ease past Hull. Ashkan Dejagah strikes for Fulham, Southampton’s Jay Rodriguez and Rickie Lambert are in the goals again, Peter Odemwingie bags a brace as Stoke see off the Hammers, whilst a Fabian Delph effort stuns Chelsea at Villa Park.
Coleman the Toffees Hero
A last-gasp winner against Cardiff continued the Everton right-back’s extraordinary season. Outscored by Leighton Baines for the last few matches, Coleman returned to form by netting for the sixth time this term and, with the maximum bonus also accrued, moved up to 141 points – eighth in the overall standings. Whilst Kevin Mirallas’ owners will be pleased with his return to the starting XI as the Belgian was utilised in “the hole” by Roberto Martinez, with Gerard Deulofeu wide right, his compatriot Romelu Lukaku proved a major disappointment. Drafted in by 170,000+ Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers last week, the big forward’s blank proved hugely frustrating after many handed him the armband, but with two double Gameweeks and a trip to Fulham in the next four, further investment still looks on the cards.
Silva Stars as Ten-Man City See off Tigers
A goal and assist from David Silva ensured City’s title bid stayed on track with a 2-0 win at the KC Stadium. Intriguingly, Manuel Pellegrini handed Yaya Toure the role in “the hole” and opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Edin Dzeko fielded as the lone forward, and the Bosnian (priced at 6.6 in FPL) vindicated his manager’s decision with a first goal since Gameweek 23. Silva’s star turn has arrived just ahead of City’s run of three doubles in the final eight Gameweeks and brings him onto our radars as the ideal differential – owned by only 4% of FPL managers, compared to Toure’s 42%, he looks set for a major investment and is perfectly placed to benefit from the fixture backlog, providing he can steer clear of injury. At the back, Aleksandar Kolarov was demoted to the bench, whilst Vincent Kompany’s early red card means he is set to serve a one-match ban and will miss the first match of double Gameweek 31 – a third clean sheet in a row suggests Pellegrini’s side are starting to show resilience once again.
Dejagah Earns Cottagers a Crucial Victory
Fit enough only for the bench after he was forced off with a knock in the previous Gameweek, Dejagah still found time to show just how key he will be to Fulham’s survival hopes. Introduced just after the hour mark in yesterday’s home clash with Newcastle, the winger needed just seven minutes to net the decisive goal, his second strike in the last four Gameweeks. Bearing in mind he had previously scored just once all season, he’s clearly finding his form under Felix Magath – a manager he won the Bundesliga with back in 2007-08. Unfortunately for Fulham, they now face City and Everton in the next two but, beyond that, the 5.1-priced Dejagah has Villa, Norwich, Stoke, Hull and Palace in the last six Gameweeks to continue his recent upturn.
Lambert and Rodriguez in the Goals Again
Rickie Lambert bagged a goal and assist as a second-half sub, whilst Jay Rodriguez – fielded as the lone forward – also found the net in Southampton’s convincing home win over Norwich. The debate between both Saints strikers has raged on for some time now and yesterday’s display hardly helps in the decision; in spite of his sub role, Lambert’s heroics took him level with his team-mate on 131 points. Adam Lallana’s owners will be more than concerned by his 55th-minute withdrawal, though. The Saints skipper had played all but three minutes of the previous seven league encounters, and with trips to Spurs and City in the next three, he could be sacrificed by some as we look to cash in on the double Gameweek options.
Snodgrass Ticking Over
Norwich’s playmaker notched for the third time in six appearances in yesterday’s loss at St Mary’s. Snodgrass’ contribution to the Canaries cause cannot be understated – he’s now scored or assisted five of his side’s last seven goals and, although he may be without a double Gameweek, the 6.0-priced Scot’s owners may be thinking twice over selling. Up next, showdowns with Sunderland, Swansea, West Brom and Fulham suggest there’s every reason for optimism.
Odemwingie at the Double
Stoke were without banned duo Jon Walters and Charlie Adam for the visit of West Ham but their Britannia form prevailed once again. Mark Hughes’ side won for the seventh time in front of their own fans, with Peter Odemwingie bagging a brace and Peter Crouch chipping in with a pair of assists, whilst even site cult figure – Marko Arnautovic – netted as the Potters made light work of their in-form visitors. Odemwingie has now scored three times in his last five starts and looks nailed-on on the right of the attacking midfield three, although his classification as a forward in FPL pretty much kills off any potential investment. With Villa, Hull, Newcastle, Fulham, Cardiff and West Brom to follow, Hughes’ side have one of the most enticing schedules around, though a distinct lack of double Gameweeks dents their appeal.
Carroll on the Radar
Back in the Hammers’ starting line-up after his recent suspension, the big target man needed just five minutes to open the scoring in yesterday’s 3-1 defeat at Stoke. In a season blighted by injury, fit-again Carroll has a goal and three assists in just 313 minutes for Sam Allardyce’s side and with his heel problem now behind him, he may worth a flutter as a real differential (0.4% ownership) ahead of back-to-back home clashes with Hull and United in double Gameweek 31.
Black Cats’ Resilience
Whilst Adam Johnson failed to produce in yesterday’s goalless stalemate with Palace at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland’s defence turned in another impressive display. The Black Cats earned a third clean sheet in their last five league matches to serve a reminder of their points potential as Gus Poyet’s side prepare for a run of three doubles in the remaining eight Gameweeks. Vito Mannone’s displays between the sticks continue to rack up the points – yesterday’s 10-point return was his sixth double-figure haul in 18 appearances for the Wearsiders.
Sessegnon Steers Baggies to Liberty Win
With his side hit hard by injury in the build-up to yesterday’s trip to Swansea, Pepe Mel’s move to 5-3-2 proved successful. The West Brom manager’s decision to field Stephane Sessegnon alongside Victor Anichebe up top was vindicated after the Benin international got amongst the goals in a vital 2-1 triumph. Intriguingly, yesterday was Sessegnon’s first start under Mel after a groin problem curtailed his game time in recent weeks, and with games against Hull, Cardiff and Norwich in the next three, the Midlands outfit have the schedule to continue their climb up the table.
Delph Stuns the Blues
Chelsea’s 14-match unbeaten league run finally came to an end yesterday evening thanks to Villa’s Fabian Delph. Owned by a mere 1% of FPL managers, the main impact of the midfielder’s strike will be felt by those who opted to double up on Chelsea backline options – indeed, it’s worth noting that Jose Mourinho’s side have now conceded in each of their last three road trips, with both West Brom and Fulham also finding a way past Petr Cech in recent matches. The home side’s clean sheet was perhaps the most surprising aspect of Saturday evening’s encounter, given that Paul Lambert’s side hadn’t kept out their opponents at Villa Park since November. Eden Hazard was another of the armband favourites to falter – his blank means he has now scored just twice from open play in the last nine Gameweeks and has found the net only once in eight away appearances.
