Christian Benteke’s quest to turn our attentions away from Arsenal’s attacking assets continues as his brace sinks Everton. Elsewhere, Leicester’s rearguard delivers at both ends, Philippe Coutinho continues to sparkle and West Brom’s wall proves too strong for United’s ailing attack. Here’s the notes from Saturday’s action…
Foxes cruise past woeful Magpies
Leicester City claimed their fifth win in six outings as they carded a 3-0 victory over a hapless Newcastle United outfit. Leonardo Ulloa boasts three goals in four starts, after bagging a brace against the Toon, and now appears to be the prime route into the East Midlanders’ strike force ahead of Jamie Vardy. Meanwhile, Marc Albrighton (4.2) notched two assists to complement his goal against Chelsea last time out, reaffirming his budget-differential status as Leicester gear up for three winnable fixtures (SOU, sun, QPR).
At the back, Wes Morgan bagged his second goal of the campaign, having netted against Tottenham Hotspur in Gameweek 30. The Foxes rearguard as a whole enjoyed their third clean sheet in four, with the fit-again Jeffrey Schlupp fashioning four chances for his teammates. Marcin Wasilewski further illustrated the merits of investing in Leicester’s back line, tallying his second assist in five matches.
In the Newcastle camp, the return of Paul Dummett and Mousa Sissoko from injury and suspension, respectively, couldn’t prevent the Tynesiders from falling to their eighth consecutive defeat. A trio of agreeable match-ups (WBA, qpr, WHU) awaits John Carver’s men in their run-in, yet red cards (via second yellows) for both Mike Williamson and Daryl Janmaat serve to render them trickier encounters. Williamson, having already received a red this term, now sits out the West Brom and QPR ties, while Janmaat misses the Baggies clash.
Unstoppable Benteke Too Hot For Toffees
Christian Benteke continued his hot streak in front of goal with a brace in Aston Villa’s 3-2 victory over Everton. The Belgian marksman has chalked up 10 goals since Gameweek 28 – four more than any other striker among the Fantasy Premier League’s (FPL) roster. With two strong home fixtures (WHU, BUR) and a trip to Southampton left on Villa’s agenda, Benteke looks set to receive a large increase on his modest 5.8% ownership. The FA Cup final provides a slight caveat, although it remains to be seen whether Villa will have the luxury of resting key players ahead of the Wembley date with Arsenal.
Elsewhere in the Villa camp, Brad Guzan paid the price for his horrific error that allowed Sergio Aguero to open the scoring at the Etihad last weekend. Shay Given was handed the keeper’s jersey having impressed in FA Cup matches, leaving Guzan frozen out on the bench.
Lukaku nets spot-kick as Toffees fall short
Romelu Lukaku netted from the penalty spot (his second goal in four starts) as the Toffees’ six-match unbeaten run was terminated by a buoyant Villains outfit. The former Chelsea frontman looked lively but still hasn’t scored from open play since a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace back in Gameweek 23, limiting his appeal in spite of Everton’s promising pair of upcoming matches (SUN, whu).
Phil Jagielka nodded home in the last minute of regulation time to give the Merseysiders a glimmer of hope. The England international has two goals to his name in five outings, which – coupled with Everton’s four shut-outs in seven matches – has transformed Jagielka into a profitable investment of late. He now sits above team-mates Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman in the FPL defender rankings.
Coutinho Magic Inspire Reds Win
Philippe Coutinho – who’d engineered more shots at goal than any other midfielder over the past six Gameweeks without finding the back of net – inspired Liverpool to a 2-1 victory over QPR with a goal and an assist. The Brazilian starlet continues to exert his influence in the final third, as evidenced by his five attempts on goal and three chances created throughout the Saturday’s 90 minutes.
Conversely, Raheem Sterling averages two attempts on goal in his previous four starts, offering little encouragement to the 260,000 Fantasy managers that drafted in the Reds winger before their double Gameweek. With a trip to Chelsea next up for Brendan Rodgers’ troops, and Arsenal’s high-priced midfielders on everyone’s radar ahead of the Gunners’ Gameweek 37 double, a Sterling exodus could be on the cards. Coutinho’s owners will be far more reluctant to show him the exit given his current form – he’ll likely provide the major threat to the Chelsea rearguard.
Now with just one win in nine matches, QPR are seven points adrift of 17th-placed Leicester City and look destined to succumb to relegation – particularly when they lock horns with Manchester City at the Etihad in the next Gameweek. Nedum Onuoha will miss that encounter having seen red for a second bookable offence.
Gomez double keeps Black Cats afloat
Jordi Gomez twice slotted away spot-kicks as Sunderland emerged 2-1 victors over Southampton at the Stadium of Light. The Spanish midfielder’s first goal since Gameweek 16 – allied with the fact that Adam Johnson looks consigned to a bit-part role amid his off-field issues – heighten our interest in the 5.1 asset ahead of Sunderland’s double. Hauled down by James Ward-Prowse for the second penalty, Jermain Defoe earned an assist that marked only his second example of attacking returns in 10 starts.
Also of importance to those scouting the doubles, Sebastian Larsson (three goals, four assists) was recalled after serving out a two-match ban. The Swedish playmaker mustered one attempt on target and crafted two chances for his teammates during an 82-minute stint.
Travel Sick Saints Beaten Again
A calamitous error from Sunderland shot-stopper Costel Pantililmon allowed Sadio Mane to banish his six-match goal drought, before suffering a knock that forced him off in the 70th minute. Ultimately, the 6.3-priced winger’s strike proved to be a consolation, as Southampton extended their winless road streak (four losses, one draw) to five matches. Consequently, managers eyeing up Southampton coverage may well be dissuaded by the fact that the Saints schedule serves up two away ties in their final three fixtures (lei, AVL, mci).
Having denied Defoe a goalscoring opportunity, Ward-Prowse was shown a straight red and will now watch from the sidelines during Saints’ head-to-head with the Foxes next weekend.
Swans leave it late
Swansea triumphed in the battle for ninth place, recording a 2-0 win over Stoke City at the Liberty Stadium. Jefferson Montero opened the scoring for the Welsh outfit, before Ki Sung-Yeung doubled the hosts’ lead in the final minute. The South Korean midfielder has notched five goals in his previous 12 appearances, making a mockery of his 5.2 price tag. Nonetheless, he had to score his goal from the bench, having lost his starting role to Nathan Dyer in recent matches.
Elsewhere, Jonjo Shelvey claimed the assists for both goals, meaning the former Charlton starlet has delivered attacking returns (one goal, three assists) in three of his last five starts.
As expected, Neil Taylor was deployed at left-back upon his return from suspension, as Swansea registered their first clean sheet in five outings.
In the wake of their ill-fated trip to Swansea, the Potters have recorded just one win their last seven matches. To compound manager Mark Hughes’ frustration, Marc Wilson picked up a second yellow card, ruling him out of Spurs’ visit to the Britannia Stadium next weekend.
Hughes had made the decision to recall Wilson to his defence, dropping Philipp Wollscheid to the bench. Wollscheid may now be in line for a recall against Spurs, although Marc Muniesa also returned to be named amongst the subs and presents a further option.
Significantly, Hughes also made the decision to drop keeper Asmir Begovic from the matchday squad. The Bosnian had been culpable for Connor Wickham’s goal in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland and lost his place to Jack Butland. Hughes indicated post-match that this was purely to give Butland match experience.
Irons deliver killing Burnley Blow
The Hammers tallied notched just their second win in 13 Gameweeks, beating a Burnley side 1-0 that were restricted to 10-men for the majority of the clash. Clarets centre-back Michael Duff was harshly given his marching orders in the 23rd minute, following a collision with Cheikhou Kouyate in the penalty area, allowing Mark Noble to convert from the resultant spot-kick.
West Ham will now look to kick on and build up a head of steam before the season’s conclusion, with a decent run-in (avl, EVE, new) providing just the platform to achieve that. Fantasy investors are unlikely to take note, however – Noble’s spot-kick was only the Hammers’ fourth goal in their last eight league matches.
Save for a miracle of biblical proportions, Burnley are set to ply their trade in the Championship next season, having failed to breach the opposition’s defence for the sixth match in succession.
Baggies Barrier Silences Old Trafford
Tony Pulis’ rejuvenated West Brom side pulled off shock 1-0 victory in Manchester United’s own back-yard, courtesy of a rare goal from Jonas Olsson, who deflected Chris Brunt’s free-kick beyond the reach of David de Gea.
The Baggies have responded to a three-match stretch from Gameweek 30–33 that saw them concede more goals (10) than any other side by stringing together three successive cleans sheets. Such an impressive display of defensive diligence could invite interest in the likes of 4.1-priced West Brom goalkeeper Boaz Myhill. Ben Foster’s stand-in has returned an incredible 34-points in the previous three Gameweeks – with five save points, a penalty save, three shut-outs and six bonus points to his name. Despite a testing run-in (new, CHE, ars), Myhill’s owners will have few qualms in keeping faith with the Baggies stopper, although would-be investors are likely to be distracted by signings in other positions.
United Blank Again
Louis van Gaal named one change for West Brom’s visit to Old Trafford, with Robin van Persie handed a first start since Gameweek 26. Luke Shaw was ruled out through injury, prompting Daley Blind to fill in at left-back and Wayne Rooney to drop back into midfield. Four successive blanks for the Red Devils hitman and his displacement from the lone striker berth in the last two Gameweeks, have all but dissipated our interest in Rooney as an option among the high-priced forwards.
Indeed, having suffered three straight defeats without scoring, stock in United’s assets has plummeted considerably with the brief interest in Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini evaporating. However, United face a trip to Selhurst Park next, to face an Eagles side that has lost their last two home matches and has kept just two clean sheets in front of their own fans – their last back in Gameweek 6.
