Harry Kane nets twice as Spurs win the North London derby. Mesut Ozil grabs the Gunners’ consolation, Branislav Ivanovic and Eden Hazard steer Chelsea to victory, Hull limit Sergio Aguero to a single assist, Sadio Mane fires the Saints to a late win, while Jermain Defoe provides the finish once again for Sunderland.
Kane Double Downs Gunners
Tottenham’s Harry Kane went into the North London derby on the back of eight strikes in as many matches and delivered yet again as the hosts came from behind to clinch a 2-1 win at White Hart Lane. Kane showed just why he’s the most popular forward in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game by bagging both goals to continue his relentless climb up the Fantasy standings – at a price of just 6.1, his 41% ownership looks set to rise yet again. Kane has now scored a goal every 111 minutes this season – quicker than either Sergio Aguero or Diego Costa.
Elsewhere for Spurs, Nacer Chadli had to settle for a bench role for the second successive Gameweek as Moussa Dembele tucked in behind Kane in a 4-2-3-1 and with the Belgian’s pitch time looking increasingly at risk, an exodus is surely on the cards.
Ozil Nets Again
With Alexis Sanchez failing to recover from a hamstring problem, the German struck for the third successive match in all competitions yesterday. Whilst Theo Walcott dropped to the bench to accommodate fit-again Danny Welbeck on the right, Ozil retained his starting berth on the opposite flank and notched the opener courtesy of an Olivier Giroud assist. It remains to be seen whether Sanchez will recover in time for Tuesday’s clash with Leicester but Arsene Wenger’s decision to name Walcott amongst the subs shows he’s not afraid to freshen up the flank roles as his options increase.
It’s also worth noting that Santi Cazorla was sacrificed on 67 minutes after struggling to impose himself on the game. With Ozil presumably earmarked for the “number 10” role at some point, Cazorla’s army of new owners will be hoping the Spaniard can start and produce against Leicester in midweek in order to delay any potential rotation in that position.
Ivanovic and Hazard Deliver Once More
Branislav Ivanovic served up attacking returns for the fourth time in five Gameweeks after netting the winner in a 2-1 win at Villa. With Christian Benteke dropped to the bench, the home side surprisingly spoiled Chelsea’s clean sheet by scoring for the first time in seven attempts but Ivanovic’s penchant for picking up points at both ends of the pitch came to fruition yet again. Now up to three goals and four assists for the season, he now sits ten point ahead of John Terry at the top of the defender standing ahead of back-to-back home clashes with Everton and Burnley. Elsewhere in defence, young Kurt Zouma dropped to the bench as Gary Cahill returned to partner John Terry and the former two may well be set to alternate alongside the skipper over the remainder of the campaign.
With Cesc Fabregas missing out through injury (despite the suggestion in the week that he had now recovered), Hazard ended a three-match goalless streak by netting the opener as Jose Mourinho’s men strengthened their grip at the summit. The Chelsea winger leapt to the top of the midfield standings with a ten-point haul, after earning maximum bonus in the 2-1 win. Significantly, having been written off as an asset who consistently failed to produce away from home, Hazard’s last five goals in all competitions have come on the road. The Belgian now has six double-figure returns to his name and looks a real captaincy contender ahead of that pair of upcoming matches at the Bridge.
Pardew Chalks Up Another Win
Palace bounced back from last week’s home loss to Everton by clinching a narrow 1-0 victory at Leicester. Alan Pardew started with a 4-2-3-1 formation for the King Power showdown and shifted Dwight Gayle to the lone striker role, with Jason Puncheon, Jordon Mutch and Wilfried Zaha tucked in behind. The Eagles boss tinkered once again at the break, though, and his decision to move to 4-4-2 proved decisive, as Mutch’s replacement Yaya Sanogo joined Gayle up top. A goal from Joe Ledley means it’s three wins in four now for the new man in charge and whilst a midweek home clash against Newcastle holds promise, Palace then face Arsenal, West Ham and Southampton before the schedule turns kinder around Gameweek 29.
Aguero’s Barren Streak Continues
Drafted in by over 250,000 FPL managers ahead of City’s home match with Hull, the City striker went into this one as the overwhelming favourite in our Captain Poll. Aguero once again failed to find the net and instead had to settle for an assist as James Milner snatched a last-gasp equaliser against a stubborn Tigers side. Since returning from injury, Aguero has now failed to net in five appearances in all competitions and although his armband credentials are on the slide, showdowns against Stoke, Newcastle, Leicester and Burnley in the next six offer plenty of chance to get back on track. Manuel Pellegrini’s side clearly have worries in the final third, though – they’ve scored just 47 goals in the opening 24 Gameweeks, compared to 68 at the same point in the previous season.
City’s Defence Fails Again
The 1-1 draw against Steve Bruce’s side means the champions have now conceded in each of their last four home encounters. Given that City have also faced the likes of Burnley and Sunderland at the Etihad over that period, their defence is looking increasingly like a no-go area – frustrating for Fantasy managers, given those above fixtures.
Tigers Tame the Etihad
Steve Bruce rolled out a 3-4-2-1 system for the visit to City, with Sone Aluko handed the lone striker role as Abel Hernandez and Nikica Jelavic dropped to the bench. Having failed to score in four of their previous five, yesterday’s draw hands Hull a real shot in the arm as they prepare for some very kind fixtures (AVL, QPR, sto, SUN, lei) but their manager’s tinkering up could well prove frustrating for those brave enough to invest. Aluko – classified as a midfielder and priced at 4.6 – is certainly one to monitor if he can remain ahead in the pecking order, though Bruce may well opt for a two-man frontline and look to go on the offensive to take advantage of that schedule.
Mane Back in the Goals
A 1-0 win at managerless QPR earned the Saints an eleventh shut-out of the season, joint-top with Chelsea. Ronald Koeman handed young Matt Targett the left-back role due to Ryan Bertrand’s suspension but the youngster was forced off early with a head injury, whilst Maya Yoshida – deputising for Toby Alderweireld again – provided the assist for Sadio Mane’s winner. The Senegal international was restored to the starting XI as Dusan Tadic made way in the attacking midfield three and has now scored in each of his last four league starts. Down to 6.5 from a starting price of 7.0, Mane has three home matches in four (WHM, LIV, CPL) and looks a real contender in the mid-price bracket, whilst Tadic owners will surely be fretting – he’s managed 90 minutes in only one of the last six.
Austin Worry for Hoops
Charlie Austin has now scored just one goal in the last six Gameweeks after yet another blank at home to the Saints. The fourth most popular forward in the FPL game, Austin has given his 26% owners further cause for concern after post-match reports suggested he left Loftus Road in crutches – with a blank Gameweek 27 preceding clashes with Arsenal and Spurs, many may decide it’s now time to bail.
Goalless at Goodison
Defences were the winners in last night’s Merseyside derby as Everton and Liverpool’s backlines held firm. The Toffees were without Leighton Baines due to a knee problem but still managed to keep out Brendan Rodgers’ in-form side to chalk up a third successive shut-out, though their resilience has come at a cost, with just a single goal scored over that period. Despite their improvement at the back, trips to Chelsea and Arsenal in the next three look enough of a deterrent for now. Roberto Martinez revealed post-match that Baines would be assessed prior to Wednesday’s trip to the Bridge.
The Reds have now served up four straight clean sheets, with the new 3-4-2-1 system clearly making a major improvement to their defensive prospects. Rodgers handed young Jordan Ibe a start at right wing-back ahead of Lazar Markovic, while Daniel Sturridge earned more minutes off the bench as his manager continues to ease him back into action. Liverpool now face Spurs, Southampton and City in the next three, though, suggesting few will be willing to invest at either ends of the pitch. Lucas is an early doubt for their midweek Anfield meeting with Spurs with a groin problem.
Defoe Earns Black Cats a Point
Jermaine Defoe was one of only two strikers to score in yesterday’s seven matches, Sunderland’s new boy has now earned returns in all three league appearances since arriving in the January transfer window. With two goals and an assist already, the 6.0-priced Defoe is proving a canny piece of business by Gus Poyet and looks a real option in the budget bracket right now. The Wearsiders host QPR, West Brom and Villa and travel to Hull in the next five and having played a part in three of their last four goals, Defoe looks key to their prospects.
