Hull squeeze into the next qualifying round of the Europa League with a narrow win over AS Trencin thanks to goals from Ahmed Elmohamady and Sone Aluko. Connor Wickham and Steven Fletcher grab a goal apiece, while Vito Mannone is handed his first start in five matches as Sunderland defeat Real Betis. Arsene Wenger reveals he is set to rest his German trio for the season opener against Palace, whilst Mauricio Pochettino discusses his intention for Erik Lamela for the campaign ahead:
Tigers Leave it Late
Sone Aluko emerged from the bench to fire Hull into the final qualifying round of the Europa League last night. Steve Bruce made a trio of alterations to the side that played out a goalless first leg draw with AS Trencin last week, bringing in Robert Snodgrass, Robbie Brady and Yannick Sagbo for Liam Rosenior, David Meyler and Aluko, with new boy Thomas Ince once again utilised as a late second-half sub.
Bruce started with a 3-5-2 formation with Ahmed Elmohamady and Brady out wide and the pair combined for the hosts’ opener, with the Egyptian finding the net from Brady’s cross. Snodgrass was afforded a roving role as the most advanced central midfielder before Brady’s early withdrawal saw the Tigers switch to 4-4-2, with the Scot on the left and substitute Ince on the opposite flank. Snodgrass kept himself on Fantasy radars with an assist for Aluko’s winner in the 2-1 triumph, though last night’s selection is something of a worry for those eyeing up Nikica Jelavic ahead of Hull’s kind opening schedule. Given that the Croatian wasn’t even amongst the subs, it’s fair to say Bruce is easing him back into action after his summer duties for his country in the Brazil World Cup.
After the game, Bruce hailed the depth of his squad for the season ahead and talked up last night’s match-winner. Bearing in mind Sagbo is suspended for the first two league matches, Aluko has certainly staked a claim to partner Shane Long up front until Jelavic returns to full fitness.
“I honestly believe the ability to bring people off the bench is what won us the game. That’s why we have a squad. Sone looks the best I’ve seen him in seven years physically. We all know he’s got terrific ability. Let’s hope he stays injury-free because he could be a big player for us.”
Black Cats Frontmen in the Goals
After failing to score in their previous two matches, Sunderland returned to winning way with a 2-0 victory over Real Betis last night. Connor Wickham and Steven Fletcher grabbed a goal apiece (taking their tallies to two and three over the summer), with the latter handed the lone forward role before moving out wide to accommodate substitute Fletcher midway through the second period. Gus Poyet fielded new boys Patrick van Aanholt and Jack Rodwell and both turned in impressive displays, according to the official match report. Rodwell was fielded alongside Seb Larsson in a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Liam Bridcutt sitting in front of the back-four, before the former City man made way at the break.
Elsewhere, Vito Mannone recovered from illness to take his place between the sticks. The Italian – who is owned by 12% of FPL managers – had failed to start any of the previous four friendlies, with Gus Poyet recently admitting he’s still undecided over his preferred first-choice keeper – last night’s clean sheet continued a series of excellent defensive displays which have seen the Wearsiders concede just two goals in seven matches.
Billy Jones continues to miss out through a hamstring injury, allowing Santiago Vergini – who returned on loan earlier this week – to immediately slot in at right-back. Poyet has concerns over Emmanuel Giaccherini, though, after the Italian was forced off with a groin injury – the Black Cats boss revealed after the match:
“We are hoping that he has just over-extended. But we will have to see how things settle down and he might need a scan. We could be looking at him being out for a couple of weeks.”
In Other News
Wenger to Rest German Trio
Arsene Wenger had plenty to discuss ahead of Arsenal’s weekend Community Shield clash with City. The Gunners boss confirmed that German trio Per Mertesacker, Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski won’t return to training until Monday and will therefore not be fit in time for the season opener at home to Palace.
“It’s not ideal but the final of the World Cup was on July 13 and when they went back to Germany, they lost a few days for celebrations. They played seven games at the World Cup [in addition to] the whole English season. Having the experience of a team that has won the World Cup [always] makes it difficult mentally to come back and be sharp and hungry straight away again. You have the choice – you get them back very quickly and you lose them in October, or you give them a needed rest to build them up again. They have an individual programme that they follow so they could be very quick.”
Wenger revealed he sees young Callum Chambers as developing into a defensive midfielder for the north London club but with Thomas Vermaelen set to leave, the summer signing from Southampton could be in line to start against the Eagles in light of Mertesacker’s absence. Chambers started both of last weekend’s Emirates Cup matches and clearly has his manager’s confidence – at 4.5 in FPL he could be a short-term punt for those looking to wildcard in the first international break, with games against Arsenal play Palace and Leicester in the first three.
The Arsenal boss also rolled out on injury update on Theo Walcott, revealing that he expects the winger to be available for selection at the end of this month or the beginning of September at the latest. A return to action merely deepens the dilemma for Fantasy managers, with Aaron Ramsey and Alexis Sanchez already sitting in 21% and 29% of FPL squads respectively, though with Walcott back in the fold, we should finally get an idea as to where Sanchez is likely to be fielded for the season ahead – a move up front could easily persuade many to double up on the Gunners’ midfield, given Walcott and Ramsey’s ability to pick up the points.
Pochettino Talks Up Lamela
The Spurs boss took time out to praise Erik Lamela after the midfielder turned in some impressive showing over the summer. Tottenham’s top scorer with three goals so far, Lamela has mainly been fielded centrally in a 4-2-3-1 but was utilised from the right against Celtic last time out – according to his manager, though, it seems that the Argentine isn’t guaranteed a central position all the time, and may alternate with the likes of Christian Eriksen in the role in “the hole” depending on the circumstances:
“You know Erik Lamela and we know him from Argentina and Italy. But he is still young and the Premier League is the most difficult league to play in – the style, the language and to adapt. But now after one year at Tottenham we think and we believe that Erik is ready to show his quality. Will he play as a No10 or out wide? It depends on the situation. My philosophy is to give a freer style with a good organisation – but not only with Erik, with other players. They are unbelievable players, creating a different action on the ball. The most important thing is to create good organisation and a good shape for our players to be comfortable in and to show their real qualities.”
