Scout Notes – Gameweek 30 – Sunday

Diego Costa grabs a goal and assist before limping off in Chelsea’s 3-2 win at Hull. Juan Mata bags a brace as United end Liverpool’s unbeaten run at Anfield, whilst Seamus Coleman plays a part in both Everton’s goals as the Toffees take another step towards safety.

Costa steers Blues to victory

Diego Costa accrued over 10 points for the fifth time this season courtesy of a quick-fire goal and assist in the first half of Chelsea’s 3-2 win at Hull. The visitors stormed into a 2-0 lead by virtue of Eden Hazard’s 20-yard opener in the second minute and Costa’s eighth-minute strike, before being pegged back to 2-2 following a catalog of defensive mishaps from the likes of Branislav Ivanovic and Thibaut Courtois. Substitute Loic Remy ensured that the league leaders retained their six-point gap at the summit after Hull City goalkeeper Allan McGregor made a mess of his tame effort in the second period.

Subbed off with a hamstring problem later on, there’s concerns over Costa’s availability for the upcoming home clash against Stoke. With the second-highest ownership (40%) of any Fantasy Premier League forward, his potential absence would be a real frustration at a time when Chelsea are preparing for a double Gameweek 34. A trip to bottom-placed side Leicester City in the double – following a visit to the Emirates – renders the league’s joint-top scorer a prime pick, but a spell on the sidelines threatens to tie up our free transfers over the next couple of Gameweeks as we engineer an exit and re-entry route for Costa.

All eyes will be on the results of his scan, then, in the hope that squad restructuring is kept to a minimum, though it’s worth noting that, in spite of his ongoing hamstring problems, the Spain international has only missed two league matches this season through injury, compared to four absences as a result of suspension.

Hazard’s third goal in six outings helped to extend his points lead (181) over Alexis Sanchez (164) in the midfielder rankings. Considering the fleet-footed winger has delivered attacking returns in 10 of his previous 14 starts, it would take a brave manager to not include him in their Gameweek 34 squad. Curiously, all of the former Lille star’s last five goals have arrived in road clashes, perhaps suggesting that opposing teams afford Hazard more space away from Stamford Bridge, enabling him to fashion more clear-cut efforts.

Elsewhere in the Chelsea line-up, Jose Mourinho rotated the left-back berth, drafting in Filipe Luis for Cesar Azpilicueta. Cesc Fabregas earned a rare start in the No. 10 role as Oscar was dropped to the bench, with Ramires partnering Nemanja Matic in the double pivot. Fabregas recorded a first assist in five appearances from his more advanced position.

Matic is at risk of teetering off the Suspension Tightrope after picking up his ninth yellow in the Tigers clash. Both the Serbian and Fabregas will have to safely navigate encounters with Stoke City and QPR before the April 14 cut-off date or face a two-match suspension that could potentially rule them out of ties with Manchester United and Arsenal.

In the Hull camp, Steve Bruce reinstated David Meyler for the suspended Tom Huddlestone, while Abel Hernandez replaced the injured Nikica Jelavic and found himself on the scoresheet for the first time since early October. With three testing road trips (swa, sou, cpl) and home clashes against Liverpool and Arsenal in their next five, though, the Tigers have a tough task to steer clear of trouble.

Mata brace strengthens United’s grip on top four berth

Manchester United channelled the momentum garnered from an impressive 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur last time out as they consigned Liverpool to their first defeat in 14 fixtures. Having left the field to a rousing reception last weekend, Juan Mata (8.3) was the stand-out player on Merseyside, netting both of United’s goals – including a spectacular bicycle kick.

The Spanish playmaker’s resurgent form alerts us to his differential potential in the coming Gameweeks. However, despite overcoming two tough match-ups in their last two, United’s next four (AVL, MCI, che, eve) could dissuade potential investors from taking a punt on the former Chelsea midfielder.

It’s for that same reason that United’s defence doesn’t encourage investment at present. Much ink has been spilled on the Red Devils’ obliging rearguard since the start of the campaign, yet they’ve restricted their last two opponents to a combined two shots on target. In fact, neither Liverpool nor Spurs managed to test goalkeeper David de Gea in the first half of their encounters – a testament to the manner in which Louis van Gaal’s philosophy is gradually being reflected on the pitch.

The Red Devils boss kept faith in the XI that bested the Lilywhites in Gameweek 29, naming an identical starting line-up. Angel Di Maria returned to the squad after his serving his one-match ban but had to settle for a 36-minute cameo – the Argentine provided the assist for Mata’s second and will be hoping to replace Ashley Young in the XI next time out, with Mata surely set to retain his starting berth on the back of yesterday’s display.

Sturridge lively as Reds lose discipline

Daniel Sturridge offered hope of a Liverpool comeback with a cleanly struck near-post strike in the 69^th minute of the United clash. In light of Costa’s injury, the England international’s form is of heightened importance leading up to a potential double Gameweek somewhere down the line for the Reds (subject to the result of their FA Cup replay and scheduling). A favourable run of fixtures following Liverpool’s tie against Arsenal next Gameweek (NEW, hul, wba, QPR) certainly piques our interest in the 11.2-priced forward, who has now produced four goals and three assists in eight appearances since returning from injury.

Philippe Coutinho grabbed his sixth assist of the season and delivered attacking returns for the third match in five. Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling swapped roles with Adam Lallana and returned to the right wing-back slot again. It proved to the detriment of the winger’s attacking output, as he failed to register a single shot throughout the course of the match.

Brendan Rodgers named an unchanged side from the one that edged past Swansea City in their last fixture, with Steven Gerrard, Lucas and Mario Balotelli amongst the substitutes. Gerrard came on for Lallana at half time and saw red within 38 seconds by virtue of a stamp on Ander Herrera, ruling him out of upcoming league clashes with Arsenal and Newcastle, in addition to the Reds’ FA Cup replay at Blackburn.

Coleman seals successive victories for improved Toffees

Everton recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since Gameweek 8 as they triumphed 2-1 over Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road. Seamus Coleman notched his third goal this term and picked up the assist for Aaron Lennon’s eventual winner, bringing his tally to 13 points for the match – the right-back is now just two points behind Leighton Baines for the season. Lennon also seems to be picking up in form – he also supplied an assist in last week’s win over Newcastle and, with maximum bonus accrued yesterday, has returned 15 points in his last two appearances.

Arouna Kone and Romelu Lukaku will both undergo tests for injuries they sustained on their visit to London – Lukaku was benched in the 66th minute after straining his hamstring.

With regards to the home side, the R’s lost their fifth match in succession despite clawing a goal back through Eduardo Vargas. Charlie Austin served up a timely assist ahead of QPR’s double Gameweek 31, with visits to West Brom and Aston Villa on the horizon, though it’s fair to say that, like Aston Villa, Chris Ramsey’s did little to persuade us they are worthy of the investment for their upcoming pair of matches.