With Jose Mourinho’s name sung around Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s players sparked to life by claiming a much-needed three points. Meanwhile, at the summit, Riyad Mahrez’ application for Player of the Year was boosted by two ice-cool spot-kicks as the Foxes saw off Everton at Goodison. Elsewhere, United and Southampton suffered damaging home defeats, with Harry Kane returning to the scoresheet at St Mary’s, while Bournemouth’s blossoming form saw them punish an ill-disciplined West Brom at the Hawthorns. Here’s the Notes from Saturday’s events…
Chelsea Wake From Their Slumber
Chelsea began the post-Mourinho era by cruising to a 3-1 home victory over Sunderland, firing a brace of goals within the opening 13 minutes.
Having failed to deliver any attacking returns across his previous 12 starts, Branislav Ivanovic bagged a goal and an assist at Stamford Bridge, on his way to his first double-figure haul of the campaign.
Ivanovic went into the season as a prime Fantasy asset having claimed four goals and six assists in 2014/15. However, he has since seen his stock severely damaged by a series of abject displays and Chelsea’s alarming decline. While Saturday’s display was encouraging for the Serb, the Blues conceded once again and have registered just three clean sheets in their last 11 league outings, ensuring that the 6.5-priced Ivanovic remains an expensive gamble.
Elsewhere, Oscar (penalty) and Pedro graced the scoreboard with a goal apiece, while Willian turned provider on two occasions. The latter has been the Londoners’ top performer this term but still hasn’t netted from open play in the league.
Oscar and Pedro are rotation risks upon the return of Eden Hazard – who missed out with a hip complaint – meaning we’re still waiting for a compelling route into Chelsea’s attack. The Diego Costa option remains a no-go as the Spanish striker continues to toil without reward; he was replaced by Loic Remy on 76 minutes.
Ice Cool Mahrez Does the Damage
Riyad Mahrez bagged a brace (two penalties) as Leicester City extended their unbeaten streak to 10 matches with a pulsating 3-2 triumph over Everton.
The Premier League’s burgeoning star now boasts six goals in his last three starts, resulting in a 42-point lead at the top of the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) midfield rankings.
Despite failing to find the net, Jamie Vardy proved as influential ever with a brace of assists, ensuring that he’s now posted attacking returns for 15 consecutive Gameweeks.
Drafted in for Leonardo Ulloa, Shinji Okazaki got in on the action with a goal and an assist, strengthening his case for run in the side.
Although the Foxes are pitted against some tough opposition over the next four Gameweeks (liv, MCI, BOU, tot), Mahrez and Vardy have emerged as fixture-proof assets and top the goalscoring charts with 15 and 13 goals respectively. It is nigh on impossible to build a case against owning the pair for the foreseeable future, given their relentless goal and assist output.
However, it should be noted that Vardy departed late on clutching his hamstring, although Claudio Ranieri was quick to play down the severity of the injury.
Lukaku Strike Not Enough
Everton’s six-match unbeaten streak was snapped by Leicester’s steamrolling form. Romelu Lukaku did at least hold up his side of the bargain, becoming the first Toffees recruit since 1954 to net in eight straight starts across all competitions.
The Belgium international has now tallied goals in seven successive league ties and will be chasing down Vardy’s record (11) over the course of the next four Gameweeks (new, STO, TOT, mci).
Ross Barkley banished back-to-back blanks with an assist double at Goodison Park, boosting his tally to seven for the campaign. Underlining his evolution from last season, the 7.4-priced midfielder charts third among his counterparts for total score (97) and enjoys a hefty 41% ownership. Having entered the fray at the 74-minute mark, Kevin Mirallas scored in the 89th minute to put Arouna Kone’s security of starts into question.
Gerard Deulofeu blanked before being replaced by Mirallas, as the young Spaniard continues to job-share creative output with Barkley.
United Suffer Canaries Shock
Manchester United’s 2-1 Old Trafford reverse to the hands of Norwich means that Louis van Gaal’s side are now winless in four matches.
Scoring his first goal since Gameweek 6 with his only attempt of the match, Anthony Martial offered Van Gaal’s men their consolation goal as the Red Devils again struggled for a cutting edge. Their disjointed attack forced a save from Declan Rudd on just two occasions and has accrued a paltry seven shots on target in their past four home match-ups.
More worryingly for Van Gaal and United’s Fantasy investors, the previously robust defence is now demonstrating frailty.
Despite welcoming back Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, United belied their laudable home defensive record (one goal conceded prior to Norwich’s visit), prompting us to reassess their clean sheet-prospects ahead a trip to Stoke and home clash against Chelsea.
Kane Delivers In Saints Victory
Tottenham Hotspur recovered from defeat to Newcastle United last time out with their first win in four matches. Much to the frustration of 90,000 Fantasy managers that shipped him out in the lead-up to his Gameweek, Harry Kane scored against the run of play with a sublime solo effort.
The Lilywhites frontman – who was replaced in the dying embers as a precautionary measure – will now look to capitalise on Spurs’ excellent schedule through to Gameweek 26 (NOR, wat, eve, LEI, SUN, cry, nor, WAT).
It is worth noting, however, that Mauricio Pochettino has previously suggested that he may look to rest Kane over the busy Christmas period.
Dele Alli was again a benefactor of Tottenham’s return to attacking form. He doubled the visitors’ advantage just three minutes after teeing up Kane for the opener, reaffirming his merits as a budget fifth midfielder.
The former MK Dons starlet lays claim to two goals and assists in his last four starts and currently places joint-second – alongside Marc Albrighton – for total score (65) among those midfielders listed 5.4 or below. Alli enjoyed more “transfers in” overnight than any other FPL asset.
At the back, Kyle Walker grabbed the assist for Alli’s strike and profited from Spurs’ second shut-out in four fixtures. Only Arsenal (13) have conceded fewer goals than Tottenham (14) throughout the season, while Pochettino’s squad rank joint-second for road goals allowed (seven), which bodes well for upcoming trips to Watford and Everton.
Southampton Slipping Into the Mire
Southampton’s alarming run of form is now putting them in danger of being drawn into an unexpected relegation scrap. The defeat at the hands of Tottenham means Saints have not won in five outings – their worst patch of form since this time last year.
Ronald Koeman’s decision to revert to a back four had little impact in attacking areas and exposed their fragile defence which failed to register a clean sheet for the tenth time in 12 matches.
Sadio Mane has now amassed just a single assist in seven outings, despite firing in 21 goal attempts during that spell. Indeed, with 17 goal attempts from inside the box, no other midfielder can match Mane’s goal threat over the past seven Gameweeks and yet the Senegalese has failed to convert even one of those efforts.
Graziano Pelle returned to the starting lineup against Spurs and extended his barren spell – the Italian has now notched just once in his last eight league outings.
Smarting from Saturday’s performance, Koeman has vowed to make personnel changes for Boxing Day’s home clash against Arsenal.
More Away Day Joy For Palace
Crystal Palace occupy a Europa League berth over Christmas by virtue of an impressive 2-1 win against Stoke City at the Britannia.
Connor Wickham converted a spot-kick just before half time but later picked up a hamstring injury and had to be substituted – paving the way for Marouane Chamakh to clock some minutes before the turn of the year. Wilfried Zaha drew the foul for Wickham’s penalty, affording the fleet-footed winger his third assist this term.
Chung-Yong Lee emerged from the bench and rifled in a 30-yard strike at the 88-minute mark to send the away fans into rapture. Rounding off Palace’s Fantasy output, Damien Delaney served up his second assist in four starts. The centre-back is a crucial element in a Palace rearguard that has conceded just six goals over the last eight Gameweeks.
Given that the Eagles won 11 of their last 16 on their travels, they’ll be relishing the prospect of hitting the road for three of the next five Gameweeks (bou, SWA, CHE, avl, mci).
Cherries Full-Backs Take Centre Stage
Bournemouth’s full-backs reigned supreme in a 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion, with Adam Smith opening the scoring and Charlie Daniels restoring the lead from the penalty spot.
Smith has now netted twice in his last four outings, having recorded a solitary goal in his previous 86 appearances. Both men harbour budget potential, although Bournemouth have earned just two shut-outs all season and now gear up for a trio of fixtures (CRY, ars, lei) that look unlikely to return shut-outs.
Josh King was a notable absentee from the Bournemouth teamsheet – he bowed out following the warm-up with a hamstring problem, to be replaced by Glenn Murray. Junior Stanislas also suffered hamstring trouble during the encounter and was withdrawn with 20 minutes remaining. Eddie Howe has stated that he’s hopeful that, in both cases, the injuries are not long-term setbacks.
Magpies Surge Halted by Villa
Newcastle shared the spoils with Aston Villa at St James’ Park as they were held to a 1-1 draw. Assisted by Siem de Jong, Fabricio Coloccini headed home his first goal of the season, before the Magpies relinquished the lead just beyond the hour mark – no team has surrendered more points (12) from winning situations during this campaign.
Steve McClaren opted to keep faith with both De Jong and Papiss Cisse in his attack, naming Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ayoze Perez on the bench. Both again saw action and, with Cisse sustaining a first half injury, it is expected that Mitrovic will start against Everton on Boxing day.
The Toon go into that encounter undefeated in three matches but face a tall task silencing Everton’s buoyant attack when the Toffees pay a visit.
Ayew the Difference Once Again
Aston Villa recorded their second road draw on the trot but are still searching for their first win since the opening Gameweek. Although the 5.5-priced Jordan Ayew scored for the fourth time in eight starts, the current crop of strong forward options renders the Ghanaian a peripheral figure in Fantasy terms.
That being said, Ayew could well flourish as Remi Garde’s charges now prepare for an excellent batch of fixtures (WHU, nor, sun, CRY, LEI, wba, whu, NOR).
