Diego Costa nets again for Chelsea but limps off injured as Guus Hiddink faces mounting injury concerns ahead of the midweek clash against West Brom. Harry Kane grabs a late leveler at home to Leicester, Jamie Vardy is on course to feature at the Lane in midweek, whilst Bafetimbi Gomis and Jefferson Montero stake a claim for pitch time under new Swansea boss Alan Curtis.
Injury Concerns for Chelsea
Illuminating Chelsea’s determination to mount a serious challenge for the FA Cup, Gus Hiddink took no chances against League One outfit Scunthorpe United and deployed an experienced XI, with Thibaut Courtois and John Terry the only notable players afforded a rest. The Blues ultimately ran out 2-0 victors, carding their third consecutive clean sheet across all competitions – bolstering the appeal of their rearguard recruits ahead of back-to-back home ties (WBA, EVE).
With his fourth goal in three starts Diego Costa (10.7) – who netted an equal amount in 21 outings prior to Gameweek 18 – opened the scoring at the 13-minute mark, reaffirming his renewed viability in the high-priced bracket. However, the Spain international limped off with four minutes of regulation time remaining, rendering him a doubt for the Baggies’ visit next week. Aside from confirming that Costa sustained a knock, Hiddink furnished reporters with an update on Eden Hazard’s fitness after the encounter:
“We want to be cautious with Eden. We don’t want him to fall again with muscle problems. I want to be careful with him so that he doesn’t start too early. It will maybe be a week later (than necessary) rather than too early.”
The interim Blues boss also went on to give fitness updates on Nemanja Matic – who failed to make yesterday’s squad – and Oscar, who was hauled off at half-time:
‘Matic was injured in training yesterday. A goalie threw the ball at the back of his head from five or six yards away by accident. Yesterday he was a little bit dizzy and this morning too but I was glad to see this afternoon he was better. Oscar had a little problem with his toe. He had a small inflammation which was very painful. Nevertheless we would have taken off two or three players to bring youngsters on in the second half.’
Ruben Loftus-Cheek stretched out the Londoners’ advantage in the 68th minute, while full-back pair Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta turned provider for the two goals. Both defenders have started every match during the new manager’s tenure, heightening their allure on the Fantasy market ahead of four home fixtures in the next six.
Kane to the Rescue
Only four Spurs players retained their starting berths for Leicester City’s visit to White Hart Lane. Toby Alderweireld and Christian Eriksen lasted the distance, but Eric Dier and Tom Carroll were both substituted at the 68-minute mark.
Christian Eriksen broke the deadlock with his first strike since a free-kick double back in Gameweek 8. The Denmark international has tallied three more assists (seven) than he did last term but is still stuck on two goals, ensuring that the 5.4-priced Dele Alli (three goals and two assists in six) represents the choice route into Tottenham’s midfield. The latter’s growing importance was highlighted by the fact that he was handed just 17 minutes off the bench, ensuring he’s fully refreshed for the midweek re-match with the Foxes.
Harry Kane came on for Carroll with 22 minutes remaining and spared the hosts’ blushes with an emphatic penalty in the 89th minute. The 9.8-priced marksman will relish the prospect of Spurs’ successive home clashes (LEI, SUN), given that he has produced double-figure hauls in two of his last four at White Hart Lane.
Foxes End Goal Drought
In scenes redolent of his “Tinkerman” days, Claudio Ranieri switched out eight of his regular starters for the Foxes’ trip to White Hart Lane, with the two clubs also set to go head-to-head on Wednesday evening.
Despite missing star men Jamie Vardy (minor groin injury) and Riyad Mahrez (unused sub), the Foxes boss will be pleased that his side ended their recent goal drought by scoring twice against Pochettino’s troops. Marcin Wasilewski and Shinji Okazaki illustrated the West Midlanders’ depth of quality with strikes on either side of the half, while jet-heeled winger Demarai Gray claimed an assist on his debut, after arriving from Birmingham earlier in the transfer window.
Discussing Vardy’s fitness, Ranieri revealed post-match that his top scorer is on course to make the midweek clash with Spurs:
“Today he was I think 50/50. He made some training with the physio, tomorrow he starts with us in the warm-up and Tuesday we will do the last training session and if he is okay, he will play.”
Swansea Suffer Early Exit
Swansea City’s dreadful run of form (one win in 11 outings) continued as they fell to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Oxford United. Having made 15 changes in their previous two outings, Alan Curtis once again reshuffled his squad, naming an XI predominantly comprised of fringe players. Bafetimbi Gomis and Jefferson Montego – who were both regulars at the beginning of the campaign but have since struggled to string together starts – curried favour with the boss by etching their names onto the scoresheet.
The likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Ashley Williams and Andre Ayew will be fully refreshed ahead of a vital midweek home encounter against fellow strugglers Sunderland, then, whilst scorers Gomis and Montero will be pushing for returns to Curtis’ preferred XI ahead of four home fixtures in the next six.
