City and Chelsea are humbled at home by lower league opposition. Gylfi Sigurdsson sees red as Swansea exit at Blackburn. Victor Anichebe and Marouane Chamakh bag a brace apiece as West Brom and Palace’s resurgent form continues, while Daniel Sturridge is on the brink of a return for Liverpool.
Sigurdsson Set for Ban
Gylfi Sigurdsson is set for a three-match ban after being dismissed towards the end of yesterday’s 3-1 loss at Blackburn. Garry Monk’s men were reduced to ten men after Kyle Bartley – one of five changes from the 5-0 home defeat at the hands of Chelsea – received his marching orders after just seven minutes. Despite that early setback, the Swans managed to take the lead, courtesy of a Sigurdsson long-range effort before Rovers staged their comeback. With his side on the brink of an exit, Sigurdsson’s wild lunge on Chris Taylor has proven very costly for his 41% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) owners – he’s now set to miss clashes with Southampton, Sunderland and West Brom and with Wildcards in play, that ownership looks set to tumble. Monk is likely to turn to Jonjo Shelvey (5.2) to fill the breach but with their form on the slide, and Wilfried Bony off to City, our faith in Swansea’s assets is rapidly diminishing.
Anichebe at the Double
Tony Pulis made just three changes from last Monday’s draw at Everton as the Baggies made their way to Midlands neighbours Birmingham. Intriguingly, 3.9-priced budget option Chris Baird dropped to the bench, and with Craig Dawson handed a starting berth at centre-half, Joleon Lescott was switched to left-back, suggesting Baird’s pitch time is not as guaranteed as we’d hoped. Pulis kept faith with Victor Anichebe up front and the Nigerian vindicated his manager’s decision by bagging both goals in a 2-1 win, with fellow forward Saido Berahino supplying a pair of assists as West Brom’s momentum continues to build under their new manager.
City Stunned by Boro
Manuel Pellegrini made just four changes from the side that lost to Arsenal last weekend as City played host to Middlesbrough. Worryingly for the champions, the likes of Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Aguero all completed 90 minutes in a shock 2-0 defeat, with the champions showing little form ahead of next weekend’s trip to Chelsea. Whilst the fixtures take a turn for the better from Gameweek 24, City look to be toiling without Yaya Toure’s presence and some may well reconsider snapping up Aguero until the Ivorian makes his return – potentially, he could be unavailable until Gameweek 26. Aguero has now gone 203 minutes without a goal since his return to fitness: the first time he’s made three consecutive appearances without scoring this season.
Blues Crash Out at the Bridge
Jose Mourinho clearly had one eye on the midweek Capital One Cup semi-final with Liverpool, as the Chelsea manager made nine alterations to his XI against League One Bradford. Mourinho handed a number of fringe players the opportunity to impress but, despite sailing into a 2-0 lead thanks to Gary Cahill and Ramires, he saw his side concede four goals in a stunning turnaround in fortunes. Oscar played the full 90 minutes, while Mourinho threw on Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard late on but the duo could not rescue the situation as their manager’s decision to preserve the big guns proved disastrous.
Chamakh Stakes a Claim
One of three changes from last weekend’s win at Burnley, fit-again Marouane Chamakh netted twice as Palace’s progress under Alan Pardew continued with an impressive 3-2 win at Southampton. New boy Yaya Sanogo grabbed a goal and assist as Pardew shifted in-form duo Dwight Gayle and Jason Puncheon to the bench: the latter replaced Chamakh on 64 minutes as the Moroccan is eased back into action after a recent hamstring injury. The Eagles now have Everton, Leicester and Newcastle in the next three, and with his attackers in form, Pardew has an unlikely selection headache on his hands ahead of the Toffees’ weekend visit.
Saints Marched Out
Ronald Koeman can now focus solely on league matters after Southampton were ousted by Palace. The Dutchman made just one change from the side that beat Newcastle last weekend, as Jack Cork replaced Harrison Reed in midfield, but despite going ahead on two occasions – with Graziano Pelle back in the goals – the injury-hit St Mary’s side were unable to hold on. The unconvincing Florin Gardos was hauled off at the break as Ryan Bertrand was shifted to centre-half to accommodate Matty Target at left-back, meaning the Romanian’s short-lived Fantasy prospects look to have come to an end. Elsewhere, Koeman was hit by yet another injury blow after Shane Long was forced off just 13 minutes after emerging from the bench – the Republic of Ireland international could be set for weeks out with suspected fractured ribs.
Schlupp Downs Under-Strength Spurs
Mauricio Pochettino made nine changes to his Tottenham XI as Leicester rolled up to the Lane and claimed a late victory. The hosts went ahead through another Andros Townsend spot-kick but, despite introducing Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen from the bench midway through the second period, Pochettino’s tinkering proved his team’s undoing as they slumped to a late defeat.
Jeffrey Schlupp was once again in the goals for the Foxes, as Nigel Pearson’s side grabbed a much-needed morale boost. The Ghana international – who has netted three times in the league so far – bagged a last-gasp winner after Leonardo Ulloa had levelled matters on 83 minutes, serving another reminder of his out-of-position potential. Classified as a defender in FPL, Schlupp – at 4.5 – has nailed down the left-wing berth but is set for some tough fixtures that may well curb our enthusiasm. Over the next six, Pearson’s men face United, Arsenal, Chelsea and City and also welcome in-form Palace to the King Power in Gameweek 24.
Black Cats Blunted
Gus Poyet continued with a 3-5-2 formation for Sunderland’s home encounter with Fulham. The Black Cats boss replaced Costel Pantilimon, Adam Johnson and Wes Brown with Vito Mannone, Liam Bridcutt and Sebastian Coates. Jermain Defoe and Steven Fletcher led the line once again, although Jack Rodwell’s second-half dismissal forced a tactical switch which saw Fletcher sacrificed. With three very kind home fixtures (BUR, QPR, WBA) in the next four, Defoe failed to strengthen his claim for our attentions, though another clean sheet once again underlined the appeal of Patrick van Aanholt in Poyet’s defence.
Sturridge on Verge of Reds Return
Brendan Rodgers made only five changes for yesterday’s goalless draw with Bolton. In spite of the upcoming trip to Stamford Bridge, the Reds boss fielded Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling for the full 90 minutes – the latter led the line until Fabio Borini’s introduction on 68 minutes saw him shifted onto the flank. Whilst their failure to find the net is a real concern for the Merseysiders ahead of the semi-final second leg, Rodgers has cause for optimism after revealing that Daniel Sturridge has a chance of facing his former club on Tuesday:
“He starts training tomorrow with the team. He’s in his final rehabilitation with the medical and sports science guys today. He joins in with the group now and it’s just about getting football fitness and game fitness. We’ll see how he is for Tuesday. If he’s not ready for Tuesday then he’ll be back, for sure, against West Ham next weekend.”
