Wayne Rooney bags a brace as United share the spoils in a six-goal thriller at St James’ Park. West Ham’s Dimitri Payet provides a goal and assist on his first start since early November, whilst basement-dwellers Villa earn a surprise home win over a lacklustre Palace outfit.
Payet Sparks Hammers Comeback
Despite falling behind inside the opening 20 minutes, West Ham United ran out 3-1 victors over Bournemouth, securing three points for the first time in six road match-ups. Dimitri Payet made an instant impact on his return to the starting line-up, netting a sublime free-kick before bewitching the Bournemouth defence to deliver the final pass for the Irons’ second goal. With a trip to Newcastle next on the agenda for Slaven Bilic’s unit, the 140,000 Fantasy managers that moved fast to recruit Payet will be eyeing further returns in the Hammers’ next league tie.
Indeed, investors have wasted little time in jumping on Payet’s overnight haul – the Frenchman has already enjoyed a price hike having attracted over 35,000 new owners.
Certainly, it’s difficult to argue against Payet’s potential to go on delivering points given his consistency so far in his debut season – he’s returned a goal or assist in nine of his 14 league appearances for the Hammers, with a 41% overall involvement in their goals whilst on the pitch.
Elsewhere, Enner Valencia broke his duck in style, propelling West Ham into the lead at the 74-minute mark, before cementing the victory with a spectacular free-kick of his own. The Ecuadorian is attractively priced at 5.8 but suffers from his classification as a forward by the Fantasy Premier League. Michail Antonio (5.2) – who carded two assists – arguably represents the strongest alternative to Payet with regards to their attacking coverage; the former Forest man has now played a part in six of his side’s last eight goals, courtesy of two strikes and four assists in the last four Gameweeks.
Nikica Jelavic could be set for a spell in the starting line-up after Andy Carroll was substituted in the 15th minute because of a hamstring complaint.
Arter Consolation not enough
Bournemouth are winless in four league outings in wake of their loss to West Ham. Courtesy of an Andrew Surman assist, Harry Arter – with his first goal of the season – prevented the Cherries from posting their fourth blank on the trot. New signing Benik Afobe mustered just one attempt on his Premier League bow, while Juan Iturbe and the returning Lewis Grabban were also called into action from the bench.
Matt Ritchie was replaced just five minutes into the second half, but Eddie Howe revealed that the Scotland international merely suffered a dead leg.
Rooney’s fine form continues
Manchester United squandered a 2-0 advantage as they shared the spoils in a 3-3 draw at Newcastle. The Red Devils played their most expansive brand of football this term, tallying double as many big chances (four) as any team during Tuesday’s action. The fact they shipped three goals and the most shots inside the box (10), though, could discourage Louis van Gaal from adopting a similar approach at Anfield next Gameweek.
Wayne Rooney had a hand in all three of the visitors’ strikes, bagging two goals (one penalty) and an assist. The 9.9-priced frontman now boasts four goals and one assist across three starts in all competitions, re-establishing himself as an option in the high-priced bracket. Nonetheless, there are still lingering doubts over United’s capacity to offer consistency on the attacking front under Van Gaal’s stewardship.
Elsewhere in the Red Devils’ camp, Jesse Lingard dovetailed well with Rooney for his second goal of the campaign, while Marouane Fellaini notched his first assist. As rotation threats, neither player harbours much appeal on the Fantasy market at present, although Lingard has huge potential with his alluring 4.2 FPL price tag.
Mitrovic in the Points
A tenacious Newcastle outfit snapped a run of four defeats in all competitions with a spirited display at St James’ Park. With just his second goal in 12 Gameweeks, Georginio Wijnaldum banished the Magpies’ three-match barren streak with a cultured finish three minutes from the break. All eight of the Dutchman’s goals have arrived in front of his own fans, so his 8% ownership will be relishing the prospect of Newcastle’s upcoming home clash against West Ham United.
Having drawn four consecutive blanks, Aleksandar Mitrovic got back on track with a goal (penalty) and an assist in the North East showdown. The Serbian marksman has shown promise but can’t compete with the similarly priced Odion Ighalo (6.4) in terms of form (seven goals in as many outings). Paul Dummett rounded off the Toon’s scoring with a deflected strike in the final minute that marked his maiden goal of the season.
Lescott Earns Villa Victory Via Hennessey Howler
At long last, Aston Villa registered their second win since the opening Gameweek, beating Crystal Palace by a solitary goal. In truth, Joleon Lescott was gifted his second strike in six starts when Wayne Hennessey spilled the centre-back’s header between his legs.
Afforded his first league start of the campaign, Libor Kozak (4.4) could emerge as a bargain-bucket differential ahead of a decent quartet of match-ups (LEI, wba, whu, NOR). At the back, Remi Garde’s decision to field Mark Bunn (4.3) in goal coincided with the Villans first home clean sheet of the season.
Palace Blank Again
For the first time in almost 18 years, Palace drew blanks in four consecutive top-flight encounters. Connor Wickham entered the fray at the break, but it’s clear that the Londoners sorely miss Yannick Bolasie’s fleet-footed trickery and sinuous dribbling. Indeed, Alan Pardew’s men mustered just eight attempts and one shot on target at Villa Park, which should be music to the ears of those managers in possession of Man City and Spurs defenders given Palace’s short-term schedule (mic, TOT).
