Chelsea’s return to form continues with a comprehensive away win over Palace, with Diego Costa, Oscar and Willian all grabbing a goal and assist. Elsewhere, Aaron Lennon and Dele Alli both find the net as honours finish even at Goodison.
Blues Back on Track
In the wake of back-to-back draws, Chelsea played out a commanding 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace, marking their first win on the road since August. The Blues are now unbeaten in four matches since Jose Mourinho departed and Gus Hiddink took the reins, forcing us to reassess their Fantasy potential ahead of a four home fixtures (WBA, EVE, MUN, NEW) in the next six.
Having bagged a brace in his last start against West Bromwich Albion, Diego Costa returned from suspension to display further signs of improvement with a goal and an assist at Selhurst Park. The Spain international harbours the potential to be a profitable differential, yet his pockmarked injury and disciplinary record could serve as deterrents for prospective investors.
Eden Hazard was subbed off at the 16-minute mark with a groin injury, but Willian and Oscar compensated for the Belgian’s absence with aplomb, notching a goal and assist apiece. The former has now produced one goal and three assists in his previous four starts, while the latter boasts two goals and one assist in four outings, furnishing us with two viable, mid-priced routes into Chelsea’s resurgent midfield.
Cesar Azpilicueta’s 11% ownership benefited from Chelsea’s second successive clean sheet and the Spaniard’s fourth bonus point in two starts. Azpilicueta (5.7) represents their cheapest secure starter, but upcoming match-ups against Everton and Arsenal limit the Londoners’ shutout appeal in the short term.
Palace Stutter at Home Again
Palace drew their third consecutive blank as they failed to win for the fifth home tie in seven. The Eagles suffered in the absence of the suspended Yohan Cabaye, mustering the joint-fewest key passes (six) of any team across the Gameweek. They’re likely to have more joy on that front next time out, though, as they travel to face an Aston Villa outfit that’s claimed just two clean sheets this campaign.
Worryingly for Alan Pardew, his squad has been unable to cope with injuries to Yannick Bolasie and Connor Wickham: since the attacking duo succumbed to injury, Palace rank second-bottom for attempts (25), joint-bottom for big chances (two) and bottom for shots on target (five). That revelation will be music to the ears of Fantasy mangers who have recruited from Manchester City’s back line, given that the Eagles make the trip to the Etihad after Villa.
Lennon Strike Not Enough for Toffees
Aaron Lennon came back to haunt his previous employers with a stunning effort as Everton held Tottenham Hotspur to a 1-1 stalemate at Goodison Park. The former Spurs stalwart was preferred to Gerard Deulofeu on the right flank, with Roberto Martinez later explaining that he’s making an effort to rotate his squad. Although Deulofeu is likely still ahead of Lennon in the pecking order, the fact that the Toffees embark on four fixtures over the next fortnight ensures he’s a rotation risk in the league.
Romelu Lukaku failed to score for just the second time in 10 outings but kept his points ticking over with an assist. The ex-Chelsea man currently charts top among forwards for total score (135) but has his work cut out across the next two Gameweeks as Everton gear up for road clashes against Man City and Chelsea. It’s worth noting, however, that those two sides have tallied just five home clean sheets between them throughout the season.
Alli Nets Again for Spurs
Spurs extended their unbeaten streak to four matches courtesy of Dele Alli’s silky finish just before the break. Valued at 5.3, the 19-year-old all-action midfielder has chalked up three goals and two assists in six starts, rendering him a prime pick-up in the budget bracket. In light of Tottenham’s excellent schedule (LEI, SUN, cry, nor, WAT) and Alli’s recent productivity, he could act as a fourth midfielder for those managers attempting to raise funds for the capture of Sergio Aguero.
Harry Kane was marshaled well by the hosts’ rearguard and failed to score for the fifth Gameweek in seven. That being said, few owners will be contemplating his sale prior to successive home encounters, given that the Lilywhites place third for home goals (18) this term.
Toby Alderweireld again provided the searching long ball for Alli’s volleyed winner, a repeat of the combination which brought Tottenham’s goal in Gameweek 15. The assist helped Alderweireld to the maximum bonus, handing the Belgian an eight-point return despite failing to earn a clean sheet.
While Spurs have kept just four clean sheets in their last 12 league outings, they’ve conceded more than one goal in just one of those 12 matches – at home to Newcastle in Gameweek 15. Alderweireld’s short-term potential looks strong, then, given that Leicester have failed to score in their last three outings and could be without Jamie Vardy following yesterday’s news on his forthcoming surgery.
