Nacer Chadli bags a brace while Emmanuel Adebayor serves up a goal and assist as Spurs hammer QPR at the Lane. Juan Mata nets for United and Seb Larsson is in the points again for Sunderland, while Bojan Krkic is benched and James Chester sees red as Stoke grab a point at 10-man Hull.
Eriksen Blanks in Spurs Rout
Spurs continued their early-season form with a 4-0 home demolition of QPR yesterday. A double from Nacer Chadli, allied with a pair of assists from Erik Lamela underlines the growing number of midfield options under Mauricio Pochettino, although Christian Eriksen, with over 12% Fantasy Premier League (FPL) ownership, again failed to get amongst the points. Up front, Emmanuel Adebayor continues to get the nod for league matches and a goal and assist from the Togo international suggests he could yet be the standout candidate in the mid-price forwards bracket.
Dier Does it Again
With Kyle Walker still sidelined and Kyle Naughton suspended, the summer signing was shifted to right-back to accommodate Jan Vertonghen at the heart of the Spurs defence yesterday. Dier replicated his goal-scoring exploits of Gameweek 1 by netting once again, and while there’s no doubt the competition for places is heating up at the back, his threat in the box is making it very difficult for Pochettino to leave him out right now. Despite a home encounter with Liverpool next weekend, the bandwagon looks set to continue over the next seven days.
Austin Sidelined with Hamstring Problem
Charlie Austin’s hamstring injury absence allowed Matt Philips to partner Loic Remy up front for the R’s yesterday. Harry Redknapp’s side now have home fixtures against Sunderland and Stoke on either side of a trip to United but with their form has been far from convincing. Austin owners may be tempted by a trade to Steven Naismith – priced at 5.1 to the QPR man’s 6.0, the Scot has picked up a goal and maximum bonus in each of his two appearances thus far and looks poised for continued pitch time – at least until Everton enter the market for new attacking options.
Mata Opens His Account
Sold by over 94,000 FPL managers last week after an opening day blank, the Spaniard picked up the points in United’s 1-1 draw at Sunderland. While Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie toiled up top in a disappointing display by the visitors, Mata’s strike, allied with the maximum bonus points, underlined his potential in the role in “the hole” behind the front two. In spite of an uninspiring display from United, Rooney and Mata owners will likely be persuaded to hold as Louis van Gaal’s side now square up to each of the promoted sides in the next three Gameweeks. Those considering Van Persie may choose to monitor for now, with the Dutchman looking some way short of full sharpness – he failed to register a single attempt on goal before being replaced midway through the second period.
Larsson On the Radar
The Swede provided the equaliser for Jack Rodwell’s strike to maintain his impressive early-season form yesterday. Larsson grabbed a goal and couple of bonus points in last week’s draw at West Brom and has now climbed to fourth in the FPL midfield standings on 14 points. Despite a very kind 5.5 price tag, the Black Cats man currently sits in just 3% of sides right now, but with QPR, Burnley, Swansea and Stoke in the next five, he could be set for further investment.
Chester Sees Red in Tigers Stalemate
Drafted in by almost 130,000 FPL managers on the back of a 15-point return in Gameweek 1, the Hull centre-half is set to miss next week’s trip to Villa. Chester lasted just 13 minutes before being dismissed for a professional foul but, despite playing most of the match with 10 men, the hosts still managed to pick up a draw against Stoke after Nikica Jelavic opened the scoring in a 1-1 draw. Tom Ince retained his spot alongside the Croatian up front although he was forced to drop back into midfield once Chester was dismissed and was eventually replaced on 55 minutes as the Tigers looked to shore things up further. With West Ham, Newcastle and Palace also still to follow in the next five, Ince still remains a viable budget midfield option if Steve Bruce fails to secure new faces before the transfer window closes.
Bojan Benched for Potters
The Spaniard dropped to the bench for Stoke’s first away trip of the season. Owned by over 16% of FPL managers, Bojan was introduced just before the break as Mark Hughes attempted to take advantage of the 10-man Tigers but he failed to make an impact as the Potters struggled to break down the hosts’ rearguard. With Naismith looking increasingly tempting as an alternative, Bojan already looks on borrowed time for a number of Fantasy managers – with a trip to Man City up next, plenty look poised to part company over the next few days.
