Scout Notes – Gameweek 23 – Saturday

Jon Walters bags a hat-trick as Stoke hammer QPR. Harry Kane is at the double for Tottenham, Daniel Sturridge returns to action with a late goal for Liverpool, Louis van Gaal rolls out a midfield diamond as United get the better of Leicester, while Jermain Defoe opens his account for Sunderland.

Lukaku Halts Palace Momentum

The Belgian’s first goal since Gameweek 14 earned Everton a crucial win at Selhurst Park as Palace tasted defeat for the first time under Alan Pardew. Encouragingly for Roberto Martinez and Leighton Baines owners alike, the 1-0 win helped the Toffees to a second successive clean sheet – the first time this season they’ve managed such an achievement. With a Merseyside home derby against Liverpool up next and trips to Chelsea and Arsenal in the next four, though, the short-term schedule looks enough to deter investment until the fixtures turn kind around Gameweek 29.

Sturridge Makes an Instant Impact

As expected, the Liverpool striker was handed a bench role for yesterday’s home clash with the Hammers after being sidelined since Gameweek 3. Replacing Lazar Markovic on 68 minutes, Sturridge needed just 12 minutes to find the net as the Reds climbed above their opponents with a 2-0 win which also saw Philippe Coutinho provide a pair of assists and Raheem Sterling amongst the goals. The latter has now scored or assisted in four of his last five and with sidekick Sturridge finally back in contention, his prospects are on the rise. Another impressive showing at the back means that Liverpool now have three consecutive clean sheets but like Everton, the fixtures are far from friendly – after the Merseyside derby, they square up to Spurs, Southampton and City in successive Gameweeks.

Van Gaal Returns to a Midfield Diamond

The Dutchman moved away from his much-maligned 3-4-1-2 set-up as United gained revenge for their 5-3 defeat at the King Power Stadium with a 3-1 win over Leicester. Van Gaal partnered Robin van Persie with Radamel Falcao up top and handed Angel di Maria the role in “the hole” as Wayne Rooney was, once again, stationed in central midfield. Van Persie and Falcao bagged a goal apiece, whilst Di Maria earned an assist against the Foxes and with their manager determined to go on the offensive, their fortunes could be on the up ahead of home clashes with Burnley and Sunderland in the next four. Those holding Rooney will surely be reconsidering their options, though – that’s five consecutive Gameweeks without attacking returns for the 10.8-price striker, who currently sits in over 22% of FPL teams.

Schwarzer Gets the Nod

Ben Hamer’s tenancy in the Leicester City goal was brought to an end at Old Trafford at veteran stopper, Mark Schwarzer, was handed his full league debut. Hamer had started the last seven league outings in the absence of the injured Kasper Schmeichel and, going into this weekend, was the cheapest active keeper available in the FPL at 4.1. That option could now be closed off to us, with Schwarzer (4.5 in the FPL) likely to continue between the sticks until Schmeichel’s return.

Walters Treble Sinks QPR

The Republic of Ireland international started in the lone striker role as Stoke swept aside QPR at the Britannia. Scout Picks Walters netted all three of the Potters’ goals in a 3-1 win as Mark Hughes’ side recovered from the loss of Bojan to a season-ending knee injury – Stephen Ireland was handed the role in “the hole” and earned a pair of assists in only his second league appearances since Gameweek 14. Hughes chose to name Mame Biram Diouf amongst the substitutes after his return from the African Cup of Nations but decided against throwing the Senegal striker into the fray. Given that he started ten of the last 11 Gameweeks prior to departing for international duties, though, Diouf seems likely to return to the XI next time around and it remains to be seen whether Walters will hold onto the lone forward berth. Indeed, it’s worth noting that the introduction of Peter Crouch on 62 minutes saw Walters shifted onto the right flank – nonetheless, the 5.2-priced midfielder’s display will surely persuade some to jump on board, with forthcoming fixtures stacked in Stoke’s favour.

Austin’s Troubles Continue

Granted, he earned an assist for Niko Krancjar’s consolation but yesterday’s failure to score means the R’s striker has netted once in the last five. Indeed, Austin has now failed to score in open play since Gameweek 17 and with showdowns against Southampton and Sunderland’s tight defences up next, in addition to a blank Gameweek 27, more and more FPL managers may be planning exit routes.

Defoe Nets in Black Cats Win

Gus Poyet ditched his short-lived experiment with a 3-5-2 formation and deployed a fluid 4-3-3 setup with Jermain Defoe as the central striker and Connor Wickham and Adam Johnson flanking right and left. Defoe needed just 34 minutes to get amongst the goals and open his Sunderland account, adding to Connor Wickham’s earlier strike to secure a much-needed victory.

Poyet’s system allowed for both full-backs to feature heavily in attacking forays with both Anthony Réveillère and Patrick van Aanholt earning assists. This took van Aanholt to three for the season, underlining his value at just 4.2 in the FPL. Despite missing ten Gameweeks due to a dislocated shoulder, the Dutchman’s attacking raids are proving vital for Poyet’s side – only Seb Larsson (four) has managed more assists to date. With showdowns against Swansea, QPR, West Brom, Hull and Villa in the next six, Van Aanholt – who delivered a 12-point return against the Clarets – could be poised to climb the defender rankings over the next few matches.

Magpies Midfielders Tame the Tigers

Steve Bruce welcomed back fit-again front pair Nikica Jelavic and Abel Hernandez for yesterday’s visit of Newcastle but Hull failed to score for the eleventh time in the last 15 Gameweeks as John Carver registered his first win in charge. Remy Cabella’s impressive recent form was finally rewarded with a goal, whilst Sammy Ameobi and sub Yoan Gouffran also netted as the Tyneside team won for only the second time in eight Gameweeks. With showdowns against Stoke, Palace and Villa in the next four, Carver’s side certainly have the chance to build on yesterday’s impressive display.

Kane and Eriksen Sweep Aside Baggies

The in-form duo continued their superb recent form as Spurs handed Tony Pulis his first defeat in charge at the Hawthorns. West Brom had racked up back-to-back clean sheets under their new manager but had no answer to the Capital One Cup finalists – Kane went into this one having scored in five of his last six away matches and delivered the goods yet again after netting a brace, including a converted spot-kick. It seems, with Andros Townsend and Roberto Soldado out of the starting XI, Kane will be granted these duties to boost his output further. Meanwhile, Eriksen’s ninth league goal of the season helped him to a sixth double-figure FPL return and took him into third spot amongst midfielders as the north London club go from strength to strength under Mauricio Pochettino.

Baird Drops To The Bench

Having started the last four league matches at left-back, West Brom’s Chris Baird was relegated to the bench as Tony Pulis opted to retain Joleon Lescott at full-back and Craig Dawson in central defence, mirroring the back four that won 2-1 at Birmingham in the FA Cup. This seems to kill off Baird’s potential as a 3.9 defender option the Baggies rearguard, with our options cut back to Andre Wisdom and Ben Foster in goal when considering West Brom’s defensive potential.

Stalemate at the Bridge

Chelsea’s run of five successive home clean sheets came to an end as City grabbed a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. Jose Mourinho once again fielded the 4.6-priced Kurt Zouma alongside John Terry in the heart of the Blues defence and with three excellent fixtures (swa, EVE, BUR) prior to their Gameweek 27 blank, the Blues look poised to bring home the defensive points again.

With Cesc Fabregas sidelined due to a hamstring problem, Eden Hazard supplied the assist for Loic Remy’s opener, with the Frenchman getting the nod ahead of Didier Drogba for the lone striker role in Diego Costa’s enforced absence. Hazard is now 19 points ahead of Fabregas after earning maximum bonus and sits just five points off Alexis Sanchez at the top of the FPL standings.

David Silva’s leveler ensured the champions remain five points off Jose Mourinho’s side. Despite having both Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic available, Manuel Pellegrini rolled out a 4-2-3-1 formation and handed the Spaniard the role in “the hole” behind Sergio Aguero – the latter’s assist keeps his points ticking over but it’s now four appearances without a goal since returning from injury – his longest spell without a goal this season. With home clashes against Hull, Newcastle and Leicester in the next five, though, Aguero’s appeal is on the rise with many Costa owners turning to the Argentine as City look to build momentum over the final four months of the season.