Calum Wilson supplies his belated application for our third striker spot, firing three goals to cap a hugely impressive attacking display from Bournemouth in East London. Elsewhere, Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez hammers home the message that he’s nearing “essential” status with a fourth goal in three outings, while the Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane blank yet again. Here’s the notes on Saturday’s outings…
Wilson stars as the Cherries Deliver
Having struggled to exert his influence during the opening two Gameweeks, Callum Wilson came to life with a hat-trick as Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth blitzed West Ham in their own backyard.
This was Wilson first ever senior hat-trick, sealed by a spot-kick won by the lively Max Gradel. Significantly, Wilson appears to have established himself as the principal penalty taker at Bournemouth with Yann Kermorgant struggling to earn a starting berth.
The 36,000 managers that sold on Wilson following his blank against Liverpool were left to lament their bad luck as the Cherries hitman scored with all three of his shots on target. Now sitting at just 5% ownership, Wilson (5.4) is sure to attract a wave of investment as the south-coast club gear up for an excellent quintet of fixtures (LEI, nor, SUN, sto, WAT). It’s hard to deny his appeal as a third striker option given Bournemouth’s clear emphasis on possession and attacking football.
On the creative front, Gradel (6.0) went some way to justifying his price tag with a brace of assists which will continue to cast doubts over Matt Ritchie’s status as Bournemouth’s go-to midfield asset.
In defence, right-back Simon Francis (4.5) delivered the cross for Wilson’s first strike. Although Bournemouth are yet to record a clean sheet this term – shipping five goals in the process – three excellent home matches (LEI, SUN, WAT) in the next five Gameweeks could transform Francis into a potentially profitable budget pick-up.
Leaky Hammers Struggling To Stem The Tide
West Ham’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates is but a distant memory following back-to-back home defeats. The likes of Aaron Cresswell and Angelo Ogbonna shot onto our radars in appreciation of the Hammers’ resilient display against the Gunners but with six goals conceded in the past two Gameweeks, it’s clear that Slaven Bilic has serious work to do when it comes to tightening up his defence.
In attacking terms, Diafra Sakho owners were left frustrated that West Ham’s prime goal threat couldn’t find the back of the net in the seven-goal thriller: a single assist provided his only reward. Cresswell also recorded his first assist of the campaign, limiting the damage incurred from the four goals conceded. Elsewhere, Dimitri Payet drew a blank for the first time this season, despite dominating set-pieces.
For the second week running, Bilic felt the need to make an early tactical substitution, bringing on James Tomkins for Ogbonna in the 34th minute. It was a strange decision that renders the Italian a rotation risk for West Ham’s Gameweek 4 clash against Liverpool.
Ogbonna’s start could be preserved by the absence of Carl Jenkinson. He saw red after pulling back Max Gradel in the box and will miss the trip to Anfield in Gameweek 4. That is likely to see Tomkins take up the right-back berth as he did at Arsenal on the opening weekend. This was West Ham’s fifth red card of the season.
Huff and Puff from Rooney and United
Wayne Rooney garnered 16% of the vote in our Captains Poll but was unable to deliver in what was – on paper – a highly favourable match-up. Having failed to register a single shot last time out against Aston Villa, Rooney fared a little better against the Magpies – notching three attempts – and had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside.
The United striker has now gone 858 minutes without a goal – his last effort being against Aston Villa back in April. It’s no surprise to see Rooney heading the FPL “transfers out” column, then, as his ownership continues to plummet: Rooney suffered his first 0.1 price drop overnight.
Juan Mata (five attempts, two on target) and Memphis Depay (four attempts, two on target) both offered a goal threat from United’s midfield but were largely restricted to half-chances from range. Meanwhile, Adnan Januzaj was somewhat subdued at the number ten berth, rendering him a strong rotation risk now that Marouane Fellaini’s has served out his three-match ban. The Belgian would seem primed to start at Swansea in Gameweek 4 and, if that’s the case, his impact, given his 6.5 price point, will require monitoring.
A third clean sheet in a row highlighted the burgeoning value of United’s rearguard. Chris Smalling (6.1), Matteo Darmian (5.7) and Luke Shaw (5.6) have all been subject to FPL price rises and should attract further investment. Sergio Romero (5.1) offers the cheapest route into their defence, yet the continued uncertainty surrounding David De Gea’s return to first-team action heightens the risk of such an acquisition.
United’s defensive resolve will be tested further in the coming weeks, with a challenging trio of upcoming matches (swa, LIV, sou) now looming.
Mahrez Dazzles Yet Again
Riyad Mahrez’s fairytale start to the new season continued with his fourth goal in three outings. The Algerian winger (35 points) currently boasts a 10-point lead over the FPL’s next highest scorer this term, Vincent Kompany (25), courtesy of three successive 10+-point hauls. With a trip to Bournemouth (conceded five in two matches) and home tie against Villa in the next two Gameweeks, Mahrez should enjoy a further influx of new owners. He continues to rise in price, enjoying another 0.1 hike to 5.9 overnight.
Jamie Vardy produced the assist for Mahrez’s sublime curling strike, complementing his goal in Gameweek 1. The Foxes marksman notched rounded off the previous campaign with four goals and assists in 10 matches and looks to have prolonged that form into the current season. With seven goals arriving in Leicester’s opening three match-ups, the 6.0-priced striker continues to stake a claim for the third striker spot in our squads. He is undoubtedly suffering as a result of Mahrez’ obvious appeal in midfield, while Wilson’s hat-trick will also have nudged him down the budget striker pecking order.
Spurs Still Struggling With Kane Supply
In the wake of their collapse against Stoke City last Gameweek, Spurs once again proved unable to consolidate a lead, with Mahrez netting just 90 seconds after the visitors opened the scoring. Nonetheless – despite their lack of clean sheets – those in possession of Tottenham defenders might be tempted to retain their services ahead of a decent run up to Gameweek 6 (EVE, sun, CRY).
Harry Kane continues to cut an isolated figure in the lone striker role, with the supporting cast of Nacer Chadli, Erik Lamela and Mousa Dembele failing to supply the PFA Young Player of the Year with sufficient ammunition.
It was clear that Spurs lacked creative inspiration without the injured Christian Eriksen and his quick return looks pivotal to Kane’s chances of waking from his current slumber. Kane’s FPL remains at 9.5 for now but a price drop would seem imminent should Aguero fire at Goodison later today.
Dann Soars For Eagles
The Eagles’ goal-hungry defence came up trumps for the third week in succession, with centre-back Scott Dann (5.0) serving up an equaliser for the hosts. The former Blackburn Rovers defender then turned provider for Bakary Sako’s dramatic winner three minutes from time, giving rise to a mammoth 14-point haul for Dann (including three bonus points). Pape Souare – who registered an assist in Gameweek 1 – wasn’t so fortunate, diverting Adama Traore’s cross into his own net.
Jason Puncheon (6.0) chalked up his second assist of the campaign after Dann climbed majestically to head home his corner. He and Yohan Cabaye (6.6) shared the free-kick duty equally (one each) at Selhurst Park, yet the former has taken a more prominent role on corners (11 compared to five). Given that Puncheon is benefiting from a more advanced role as the “number ten”, the ex-Southampton midfielder could well emerge as the choice pick between the pair.
Deployed on the left flank due to Yannick Bolasie’s absence (due to a family bereavement), Sako has given Alan Pardew food for thought in light of his goal and sheer volume of shooting opportunities. Sako has now earned four goals and three assists in his last eight league appearances for Palace and Wolves.
That being said – even in the event that he’s afforded a run of starts, Palace prospects are perhaps slim given their brutal schedule (che, MCI, tot).
Martin Doubles His Tally
Russell Martin popped up with his second goal in as many outings, marking the third goal scored by the Canaries’ rearguard already this term. Both Martin and Steven Whittaker (4.5 each) rank in the top six for shots attempted by defenders, drawing attention to their attacking potential. Those eyeing up the duo, however, might prefer to wait until Gameweek 7, considering that the Norfolk outfit face three testing road ties (sou, liv, whu) in the next four and have just two home matches in their next six.
Nathan Redmond – one of our three Differentials this Gameweek – delivered attacking returns for the third consecutive Gameweek following his assist for Martin’s goal. Priced at 5.5, the England U21 international registered four shots and key passes, highlighting his dual threat from a Fantasy perspective.
Diouf Stoops to Keep Ticking
Following his late equaliser last weekend at White Hart Lane, Mame Biram Diouf (6.5) underlined his impressive form with a stooping header at Carrow Road. Having tallied more shots on target (five) than any forward in Gameweek 2, the Senegal international was less involved at Norwich, netting with his solitary attempt at goal. Now that the Potters have negotiated back-to-back road trips, Diouf faces the prospect of three enticing home encounters (WBA, LEI, BOU) over the next four Gameweeks, augmenting his differential potential.
Xherdan Shaqiri started in place of the absent Jonathan Walters (ruled out through illness), bagging an assist and two bonus points on his debut. Out to impress following his disappointing stint at Inter Milan, the Swiss international will surely be key in providing the ammunition to Diouf; he is another who provides sure-fire differential material over the Potters’ encouraging run of match-ups.
Defoe Strike Gives Black Cats A Foothold
Jermain Defoe (5.5) netted his second goal in three starts as the Black Cats secured their first points of the season. The former Spurs poacher had to be clinical – scoring with his one attempt of the afternoon – due to the Wearsiders’ paucity of goal threat: four attempts inside the box was the lowest of any side this Gameweek. With free transfers at a premium, few Fantasy managers will be tempted to draft in Defoe, yet his 5.6% ownership will be encouraged by Sunderland’s next batch of fixtures (avl, TOT, bou).
Jeremain Lens (6.5) made it three assists on the trot following his transfer from Dinamo Kiev in the summer. The Dutch winger is doubtless Sunderland’s chief creator at present, yet his relative lack of goal threat thus far (one shot inside the box and on target) somewhat tempers our enthusiasm. Until the Black Cats sharpen their claws, there is clearly a plethora of in-form mid-priced alternatives demanding greater attention.
Prolific Gomis Denied
Bafetimbi Gomis (7.2) graced the scoresheet for the third outing in a row but should’ve had a brace when his late header was clawed away by Sunderland keeper Costel Pantilimon. The former Lyon frontman is enjoying his richest vein of form since arriving in the summer of 2014, having finished the previous campaign with five goals in six appearances. Consequently, the fact that the Swans lock horns with Man United, Everton, Southampton and Spurs over the next five Gameweeks should serve as little deterrent for those pondering investment.
Andre Ayew (7.1) failed to match his teammate’s scoring rate – having netted in both preceding Gameweeks – but came close when his header rattled the upright. Only Palace’s Sako (six) has amassed more attempts at goal (five) this weekend, serving as vindication for the 178,000 managers who recruited the Ghanaian forward off the back of his performance against Newcastle.
Gylfi Sigurdsson (7.5) is devoid of attacking returns through the opening trio of match-ups but has been far from a peripheral figure. The Icelandic midfielder has carved out more shooting opportunities than both Gomis and Ayew and continues to hog set-pieces, suggesting it won’t be long before he breaks his duck for the season.
