Sergio Aguero is at the double as City hammer Stoke at the Britannia. Chris Smalling scores twice as United beat Burnley, Danny Ings nets again, Chelsea and Southampton chalk up yet another clean sheet, whilst Brown Ideye fires the Baggies to victory.
Aguero Back in Form
The City frontman bagged a brace to end a five-match goalless streak in all competitions in last night’s 4-1 win at Stoke. Aguero’s brace – his first league goals since Gameweek 14 – saw him climb above Harry Kane to the top of the FPL forward standings as Manuel Pellegrini opted for a lone striker system, with James Milner fielded in the central support role. Aguero was subbed off with a minor back problem and the striker later revealed on social media his withdrawal was precautionary.
Milner and Samir Nasri notched a goal apiece and with the latter also earning an assist, David Silva’s stock continues to plummet as a result of a move to the wing. Sold by over 40,000 FPL managers heading into Tuesday’s deadline, the Spaniard still managed an assist but with Yaya Toure now available from Gameweek 26, it remains to be seen whether his 18% ownership will remain loyal for now. With five superb fixtures in the next six (NEW, LEI, burn, WBA, cpl), City look ripe for investment, though their defence once again failed to convince – it’s now eight successive matches without a clean sheet.
Crouch Nets Again
With Jon Walters missing out through injury, Mark Hughes turned to the big target man as City rolled up to the Britannia. Having scored a last-minute leveller as a sub against Newcastle, Crouch struck once again to stake a claim for a regular starting role ahead of a kind run of fixtures. With home clashes against Hull, Everton and Palace allied with trips to Villa and West Brom in the next five, the Potters have the chance to bounce back from last night’s capitulation and whilst Walters is expected to return for weekend cup duties, Crouch – at 5.7 – offers Hughes an in-form option for the lone striker role.
Willian Leaves it Late
The Brazilian’s last-gasp winner helped Chelsea end a stubborn Everton resistance that had chalked up three successive clean sheets prior to the Stamford Bridge encounter. With Oscar missing out altogether and Cesc Fabregas handed a second-half sub role, Willian and new boy Juan Cuadrado joined Eden Hazard in the attacking midfield three slots against the Toffees. Hazard’s blank means he has now returned just two assists in his last four home appearances – a far cry from the displays that has seen him score in each of his previous five at the Bridge.
At the back, Mourinho continued to alternate Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma, with the latter, at 4.6, now earning a place in the first XI in three of the last five. Zouma has failed to start two successive league matches, though, and despite his kind price tag remains too susceptible to rotation. Elsewhere in defence, the Blues boss handed Petr Cech the keeper’s jersey as Thibaut Courtois warmed the bench – last night’s 1-0 win means Chelsea have conceded just one goal in their last seven at home, though served a reminder that only John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic remain immune to Mourinho’s tinkering. Ivanovic owners will be hoping nothing comes of an alleged biting incident with James McCarthy, though.
Smalling at the Double
The centre-half proved the unlikely goal hero as the Red Devils served up a 3-1 win at home to Burnley. Initially named amongst the subs, Smalling benefitted from an early injury to Phil Jones and struck the first of two goals just 22 seconds after entering the fray. Bearing in mind he’d started just two of the previous ten, it’s clear he’s far from guaranteed pitch time even if Jones is sidelined for a period of time – with Luke Shaw free from suspension, Louis van Gall could shift Marcos Rojo into the centre as an alternative solution.
Whilst Wayne Rooney blanked for the seventh straight match, Angel di Maria served up a pair of assists to justify his 15% ownership in the centre of the park. The front two also kept their tallies ticking over – Robin van Persie’s spot-kick took him to ten goals for the season, whilst Radamel Falcao chipped in with an assist.
Ings’ Streak Continues
The Clarets striker has now notched in five of his last six league outings after spoiling United’s clean sheet at Old Trafford. At a price of just 5.8, Ings continues to prove excellent value after taking his tally to 101 points last night – sixth amongst forwards in the FPL game. Unfortunately for Sean Dyche and Fantasy managers alike, the schedule remains very much against Burnley – with Chelsea, Liverpool, City, Southampton, Spurs and Arsenal in the next seven, he faces a tough task to remain a viable cut-price option.
Another Clean Sheet for the Saints
Whilst Sadio Mane disappointed his 30,000+ new owners by blanking for the first time in five starts, Southampton’s defence brought home the points yet again with a goalless draw at home to West Ham. With Ryan Bertrand and Toby Alderweireld still sidelined through injury and suspension respectively, Koeman started Florin Gardos and Maya Yoshida in the back-four as the Saints chalked up a twelfth shut-out of the campaign. Up top, though, Southampton are toiling and have scored just once in the last three, though have West Brom, Palace and Burnley in the next five to find their feet again.
Carroll Concern for Hammers
The big striker left St Mary’s on crutches after sustaining another knee injury last night. On as a second-half sub for Diafra Sakho, Carroll’s possible absence looks a real blow as Big Sam’s side square up to Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal in the next four, whilst the goalless draw continued Stewart Downing’s downturn in form – it’s one goal and a single assist in the last eight Gameweeks for the 28%-owned midfielder.
Palace Subs to the Rescue
Alan Pardew dropped Dwight Gayle to the bench for last night’s clash with former club Newcastle as Marouane Chamakh and Yaya Sanogo led the line. The latter lasted less than half an hour before being forced off injured and replaced by Fraizer Campbell and the former United man made the difference by grabbing the equaliser, courtesy of an assist from fellow sub Yannick Bolasie. The latter was eased back into action after only just returning from the African Cup of Nations but his immediate impact suggests Jason Puncheon and Wilfried Zaha’s starting roles out wide will be under threat next time around. With Arsenal, West Ham and Southampton in the next three, though, the Eagles have a tough schedule ahead.
Cisse Back in the Goals
Handed a first start since Gameweek 19 due to his international exertions with Senegal, the Magpies forward struck the opener in the Selhurst Park stalemate. Despite playing a mere 748 minutes, Cisse’s predatory displays have served up ten goals and whilst John Carver will be tempted to hand him more pitch time than predecessor Pardew, showdowns with City, United, Everton and Arsenal in the next five look enough of a deterrent. Daryl Janmaat’s raiding runs down the right earned the Dutchman his sixth assist of the campaign – only two other defenders, Leighton Baines and Branislav Ivanovic, have managed more than three assists so far.
Ideye the Baggies Hero
West Brom’s record signing grabbed a goal and assist as Tony Pulis’ side registered a late win at home to Swansea. After emerging from the bench to get amongst the goals in the weekend draw at Burnley, Ideye was handed the lone forward role, with Saido Berahino tucked in behind, and the youngster also notched to help steer his side four points clear of the drop zone. The Baggies have now won both matches with Ideye in the starting XI and with Sunderland, Villa, Stoke and QPR in the next six, the Nigerian, at 5.6, looks another cut-price contender to consider.
At the back, Pulis once again kept Andre Wisdom on the bench as his side registered a third clean sheet in five matches under his guidance. After being fielded at left-back in the second-half of Sunday’s clash at Burnley, Chris Brunt retained his place in defence, with Chris Baird knocked down the pecking order. Wisdom’s 21% owners now look set to bail, though Craig Dawson, at 4.4, has now started the last three and offers a cheaper alternative to Joleon Lescott and Gareth McAuley.
