Sunday’s pair of fixtures serve up a single strike between them as Chelsea blow the chance to go top with a goalless home draw against Norwich. Olivier Giroud grabs the only goal of the game as Arsenal get the better of the Baggies at the Emirates, with Santi Cazorla’s creativity coming to the fore once more.
Giroud in the Goals Again
The Frenchman notched the only goal of yesterday afternoon’s home win and is ending the season in the same manner as he started. Giroud’s first-half strike took his tally to three goals and an assist in the last four fixtures – his most consistent run of form since he notched in each of the Gunners’ opening four matches. Owned by over 21% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, his subsequent eight-point haul took Giroud onto 182 points – fourth amongst strikers and just a single point below Daniel Sturridge. He may have his critics, but with 16 goals and eight assists accrued thus far, he’s served up great value for a starting price of 8.5.
Mixed Midfield News for Wenger
Aaron Ramsey’s owners were left ruing his absence after the Welshman was ruled out with a minor thigh problem yesterday. With Everton’s loss to City on Saturday already securing fourth spot for Arsene Wenger’s side, it was clear he is unwilling to take any unnecessary risks – factor in an upcoming FA Cup Final and there’s a concern that Ramsey may well be rested for next week’s trip to Norwich. Santi Cazorla’s assist for Giroud’s winner gave Wenger plenty to smile about, though, as the little Spaniard finishes the season on a high. After a frustrating second year in north London, he has now delivered an assist in each of his last four appearances – with an ownership of less than 3%, he’s proven to be a consistent performer as the campaign draws to a close.
Another Clean Sheet for the Gunners
A third successive clean sheet – and sixteenth of the season – helped Arsenal emerge victorious in front of their own fans for the final time this term. Wojciech Szczesny moved to the top of the FPL keeper standings after yesterday’s win, whilst both Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny sit amongst the top six scoring defenders; the trio all started the campaign priced at 5.5 in FPL but will surely be elevated into the premium price bracket next time around. If the rumours are true and Bacary Sagna does indeed leave north London, Carl Jenkinson may be on Fantasy radars if he can nail down a starting berth in 2014/15.
Hazard Handed Bench-Warming Duties as Blues Stumble
After tasting defeat to Sunderland and Atletico Madrid in each of the last two Stamford Bridge matches in all competitions, Chelsea were expected to turn over struggling Norwich yesterday afternoon. A win would have been enough take them to the top of the league but Jose Mourinho’s men failed to find a way past a Canaries side that had lost each of their last five league fixtures – Eden Hazard was afforded just 45 minutes off the bench, whilst Samuel Eto’o failed to feature at all, in spite of his impressive home record. Chelsea now have a trip to Cardiff to see out the season, but despite such a favourable fixture, Hazard owners may be ready to jump ship in light of yesterday’s unexpected teamsheet.
Chelsea Defence Plunder the Points Again
The Stamford Bridge outfit delivered their eighteenth shut-out of the season yesterday – four more than they managed in 2012/13. Ten of those have arrived in front of their own fans, with eight on the road – incredibly, from Gameweek 17 onwards, Mourinho’s side conceded a mere eight goals compared to 18 strikes against in the first 16 fixtures. Next week’s trip to Cardiff looks poised to hand Chelsea the chance to extend that record, given that the Bluebirds have scored twice in their last five and are heading for the Championship in dire form.
Canaries Slip Closer to the Drop
Neil Adams moved to a 4-2-3-1 formation for yesterday’s crucial trip to the Bridge. The Canaries boss ditched the recent midfield diamond and shifted Robert Snodgrass back to the right wing, with Martin Olsson fielded on the opposite side of the attacking midfield three. Summer signings such as Leroy Fer, Ricky Van Wolfswinkel and Gary Hooper were all omitted from the XI, as was on-loan wide man Jonas Gutierrez, and in spite of a valiant draw, Adam’s side are nearer a drop to the Championship than ever. They sit two points behind Sunderland and three behind West Brom with a goal difference of -32 compared to -19 and -13 respectively; essentially, a draw between the latter two sides at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday evening would ensure both sides are safe, barring a mathematical miracle on the final day of the season.
