Riyad Mahrez is the stand-out performer as Leicester rout a sorry Sunderland to promote their mid-price Fantasy assets in our thinking. In contrast, the illustrious cast of Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane and Eden Hazard struggle to make an impact, while Swansea, Crystal Palace and Watford demonstrate early attacking promise. Here’s the notes from Saturday’s matches…
Mahrez Inspires Lively Foxes
Riyad Mahrez (two goals, three bonus points) and Marc Albrighton (one goal, two assists and bonus points) both amassed 15-point hauls as Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester mauled the Black Cats at the King Power Stadium.
Jamie Vardy rounded off the scoring for the Foxes, bringing to light Leicester’s exciting array of low-priced attacking options ahead of three decent match-ups (whu, bou, AVL) in the next four Gameweeks.
Mahrez’ display justified his selection in our Scout Picks squad and installed him in second spot in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) “transfers in” column overnight. At 5.5, there’s little doubt that he’ll be targeted as a fourth midfield “enabler” or even a fifth midfield option.
Vardy’s early form, coupled with a lively display from debutant Shinji Okazaki, will have also put Fantasy managers on alert – both are priced at 6.0.
Ranieri played the pair in tandem in a 4-4-2, abandoning the three-at-the-back system of the previous regime, despite indicating in pre-season that he’d look to retain the formation used so effectively in Leicester’s end-of-season recovery.
Ten-Man Chelsea Settle For A Point
The Blues were relieved to pick up a point in their season-opener, having played over forty minutes of the clash with a one-man disadvantage following Thibaut Courtois’ dismissal. The Belgian keeper now sits out Chelsea’s visit to Man City in Gameweek 2, before returning for a trip to The Hawthorns a week later.
Both of Chelsea’s goals – a free-kick from Oscar and an own goal via a Willian cross – contained an element of fortune. Interestingly, Oscar appeared to hog set-plays against the Swans: his presence in the starting XI will therefore not only damage Cesc Fabregas in terms of pushing the Spaniard back into the double pivot, it seems it may also reduce his influence from dead-ball scenarios.
Eden Hazard and Diego Costa contributed uneventful performances by their lofty standards, attempting one shot apiece. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s back four looked worryingly vulnerable, although Cesar Azpilicueta accrued six points by virtue of an assist and two bonus points. This went some way to validating the Spaniard’s Fantasy selection over Chelsea’s more expensive defensive assets.
Swans Show Attacking Intent
Swansea were unfortunate not to emerge from Stamford Bridge with all three points, having racked up a remarkable 18 shots (10 on target) in the champions’ fortress.
Andrew Ayew (7.0) immediately emerged as an effective midfield differential for the 2.4% of managers that backed the Ghanaian livewire, after he cooly converted Swansea’s opener in a crowded Chelsea box.
Bafetimbi Gomis’ contribution was also notable as the towering Frenchman converted Swansea’s equaliser from the spot. His awkward physical presence troubled the Chelsea back four throughout, with Ayew and the lively Jefferson Montero providing pace and creativity from the flanks.
Should Garry Monk persevere with the two wide men, Gomis is surely set improve on his seven-goal haul in his debut season and easily justify the 7.0 outlay in the FPL.
Gomis and the Swansea attack will face Newcastle at the Liberty Stadium next, followed by a trip to Sunderland – a potential platform for further returns. Ki Sung-yeung is already an early doubt for the visit of the Magpies; the 5.5 FPL midfielder succumbed to a hamstring injury in the second period.
Cabaye Caps Another Palace Away Win
Yohan Cabaye, Wilfried Zaha and Damien Delaney graced the scoresheet as the Eagles continued where they left off last term, extending their run of outstanding away form under Alan Pardew.
Cabaye (6.5) scooped three bonus points to grab a 10-point haul on his return to English shores, while Jason Puncheon and James McArthur claimed assists.
Cabaye’s debut goal will underline his promise in the mid-price bracket, although it should be noted that Yannick Bolasie was limited to an appearance from the bench having sustained a hamstring injury in pre-season: he will likely be in contention for a start for Arsenal’s visit in Gameweek 2 to present a further attacking option.
Palaces’ prowess from set-plays under Pardew was again on show for Delaney’s goal, as an elaborate training ground corner routine paid off. The Eagles scored nine goals from corners following Pardew’s arrival last season.
Hornets Sting Shows Promise
Watford earned a well-fought point at Goodison Park courtesy of goals from Miguel Layun and substitute Odion Ighalo.
The former has been classified as a defender in the FPL but was fielded on the left of an attacking three in a 4-2-3-1 by manager Quique Sanchez Flores. Priced at 4.5, the Mexican’s out-of-position potential immediately promotes him when assessing the Hornets’s defensive assets. However, with fierce competition for places in midfield areas, he may yet emerge as a rotation risk.
Jurado and Troy Deeney were on hand for the assists on Merseyside.
Jurado impressed playing in the centre of midfield as he pulled the strings, demonstrating that he could be a prospect as a 5.5 midfield option. Deeney’s solid start to the campaign sets him up well for back-to-back home ties (WBA, SOU) that could serve as fertile proving grounds for the Watford skipper.
As for Ighalo, his 5.0 FPL price tag is tantalising but it remains to be seen if his superb solo effort will earn him a start on Flores’ next teamsheet. The Nigerian replaced Jurado on 74 minutes; he scored 14 goals in ten appearances in the middle part of last season and his prospects this term clearly required monitoring given his price tag.
Kone Haul Rescues Toffees
Everton twice came from behind to rescue a point against Watford, marking the third season in succession that they’ve recorded a 2-2 draw on the opening day.
Ross Barkley scored the Mereysiders’ first goal with a thunderous strike and was a threat throughout – one major plus point for Roberto Martinez from a performance that would have troubled the Toffees boss.
Arouna Kone’s introduction from the bench proved pivotal as he bagged the assist for Barkley’s effort, before netting himself in the 86th minute.
Kone will struggle for starts this campaign with Romelu Lukaku the favoured spearhead in Everton’s 4-2-3-1 set-up. The Belgian striker supplied the assist for Kone’s late strike but managed just one shot on target. Given that Everton now embark on a brutal quartet of matches (sou MCI, tot, CHE), few managers will look Lukaku’s way until the fixtures ease up.
Elsewhere, Leighton Baines missed out through what appears to be a recurrence of an ankle injury that saw him go under the knife in May. Martinez confirmed post-match that his left-back would sit out a number of weeks, opening the way for Brendan Galloway to claim regular starts. Galloway is available as a 4.5 option in the FPL, although with the current schedule, he is unlikely to tempt investment. Kevin Mirallas also suffered a knock to his ankle and was forced off in the second period; Martinez is more optimistic on his prospects of facing Southampton.
Workmanlike United Fail To Impress
Manchester United were one of only two teams (alongside Aston Villa) to record a clean sheet on the opening day. Chris Smalling (6.0) – who notched four goals last term – was the stand-out performer at the back and could attract investment ahead of two fixtures that appear conducive to shut-outs (avl, NEW).
The 29% of FFScout readers that plumped for Wayne Rooney in our Captain’s Poll this week had to settle for a fortuitous assist, with Kyle Walker steering the ball into his own net in an attempt to dispossess the United skipper. Memphis Depay’s failure to test Spurs keeper Michel Vorm with three mid-range efforts was representative of United’s errant shooting, as they registered just a solitary shot on target.
While Depay will be granted time to settle, Rooney’s huge 42% FPL ownership will look for a marked improvement from the Gameweek 2 trip to Villa. United displayed the symptoms of the initial stages of Van Gaal’s first season, lacking ideas and penetration against Spurs. Should Sergio Aguero take to the pitch on Monday for Man City, we could well see Rooney’s ownership go into immediate decline.
Starved Kane An Early Concern
Harry Kane also failed to impress at Old Trafford. In fairness, he was isolated for large periods of the match and suffered from a severe lack of quality service.
This will be an immediate concern to his 37% FPL ownership, having witnessed Kane’s output dry up alarming in the latter part of last season as Mauricio Pochettino’s side struggled to provide for England striker.
Christian Eriksen was certainly a bright spark for the visitors. He impressed in spells whilst occupying central areas behind Kane and represented Tottenham’s major source of creativity. The Dane spurned an early chance but executed four key passes and tallied two further attempts at goal, offering enough for his 8.2% ownership to keep faith ahead of Stoke’s visit to White Hart Lane next weekend.
Getstede Leap Seals Villa Win
One of six debutants for Villa at Bournemouth, Rudy Gestede (6.0) – who was introduced at the hour mark – showcased his credentials as a target man with a towering header 18 minutes from time. In light of Jordan Ayew’s ineffective afternoon, Tim Sherwood may well elect to install Gestede into the starting line-up for their trip to Crystal Palace next Sunday.
Ashley Westwood (4.5) served up the cross for the former Blackburn Rovers frontman, highlighting his potential as a budget midfielder. Southampton’s Victor Wanyama (20.5%) is by far the most popular recruit in that bracket, with fellow enforcers Gareth Barry (3.8%) and Francis Coquelin (3.5%) also featuring in a fair few squads. Considering that that Sherwood recently pinpointed Westwood as Villa’s top midfielder, a increase on his 0.4% ownership could be forthcoming. Westwood claimed just a single assist in 2,149 minutes last term.
