Sergio Aguero’s two-goal display sends fear throughout the ranks of his non-owners as City’s Etihad dominance continues. Harry Kane does his best to keep pace with the Argentine as he produces double-figure returns in an emphatic Spurs win, while attacking full-backs run riot across the league as Leighton Baines, Charlie Daniels and Matt Targett all find profit. Here are the notes on Saturday’s events…
Aguero Fires A Warning Shot
Manchester City reiterated their dominance at the Etihad with a crushing 4-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Manuel Pellegrini delivered on his threats of rotation as he shuffled the pack for the Eagles’ visit, dropping Yaya Toure, Jesus Navas, Raheem Sterling and Bacary Sagna to the bench. Aleksandar Kolarov reclaimed his starting berth from Gael Clichy but was subbed off at the 52-minute mark due to injury – Pellegrini said they’ll understand the extent of his complaint on Monday. Clearly, however, both City’s full-back positions are subject to rotation with Pablo Zabaleta and Clichy now viable options to Pellegrini.
The 34,000 Fantasy managers that recruited Sergio Aguero ahead of this Gameweek were handsomely rewarded for their decision as the striker notched two goals and an assist, courtesy of a long-range deflected effort and six-yard tap in.
Having reminded us of his unparalleled capacity for explosive returns, Aguero is set to receive a huge increase on his 18% ownership, forcing many non-owners into some tough decisions. With 28,000 transfers at the time of writing, Aguero was the most popular Fantasy Premier League (FPL) transfer target overnight – that’s already led to a further price rise to 13.3.
Certainly, with West Ham, Sunderland and Leicester next on the agenda, it could be a dangerous period to go without last season’s top scorer.
David Silva – who was one of our Differentials this Gameweek – recorded his first goal and eighth assist of the season. The Spain international offers a cheaper alternative to Kevin De Bruyne, who kept his points tally ticking over with a ninth assist of the campaign.
City must now look to translate their home form to the road. While Aguero’s early adopters will have great confidence in their acquisition, they will be wary of City’s record that shows just ten goals in ten matches on their travels. Having said that, with an effort on goal every 5.7 minutes, no side in the league have registered a goal attempt away from home at the same rate – indicating that their wasteful 6% goal conversion is the major factor at play – Aguero’s return to form should certainly help to solve that issue.
Goal-Shy Palace Slide Deeper
Palace stretched out their winless spell to five matches with their second consecutive road defeat.
There are growing concerns at both ends of the pitch for the Eagles: aside from tallying five successive blanks, they’ve shipped eight goals in three match-ups. Wayne Hennessey has been one of Palace’s chief culprits at the back, committing two dreadful errors in as many starts. Consequently, Alan Pardew threatened to drop the Welshman if he doesn’t perform in training with both Julian Speroni and Alex McCarthy breathing down his neck.
Eriksen & Kane See Off Black Cats
Tottenham Hotspur got Gameweek 22 under way with a 4-1 home win over Sunderland, bouncing back from their loss to Leicester City in midweek.
Harry Kane snapped a run of three blanks with an assist and his second penalty goal in three outings across all competitions, rewarding the 21.3% of Fantasy managers that handed him the captain’s armband. The spot-kick took him to 32 goals in his last 50 Premier League outings.
Now with a spring in his step, the 9.9-priced frontman seems well placed to profit as the Lilywhites gear up for an enticing trio of match-ups (cry, nor, WAT).
With his first league goals since Gameweek 8 and his first for twelve months at White Hart Lane, Christian Eriksen (8.3) bagged a brace.
The Danish playmaker certainly boasts differential potential during Spurs’ favourable stretch, but the 5.5-priced Dele Alli (three goals in eight) is certainly a more enticing pick-up by virtue of his price tag. Elsewhere in the Spurs midfield, Moussa Dembele marked his return to the starting line-up with his third goal of the season.
Despite failing to keep a clean sheet, Tottenham’s defensive assets delivered points. With Mauricio Pochettino electing to rotate his full-backs in light of the quick-fire fixtures, Danny Rose replaced Ben Davies and went on to notch a brace of assists – no defender has tallied more this term, making his lack of security in the Spurs XI all the more frustrating. Eric Dier also graced the scoreboard, claiming his first assist of the season.
The Spurs rearguard are now without a shut-out in the last four, having allowed a single goal in each of those encounters. One again, though, the forthcoming fixtures suggest that Toby Alderweireld’s 40% ownership should hold firm.
Pickford Unable to Mask Sunderland’s Frailties
Sunderland’s defensive fragility was brought to the fore as they shipped four goals for the second time in five outings.
That being said, Patrick van Aanholt once again illustrated his rampaging instincts, netting for the third successive Gameweek. The flying Dutchman is priced attractively at 4.6, yet his appeal is limited by the Black Cats’ poor clean-sheet prospects across a challenging quartet of fixtures (BOU, MCI, liv, MUN). The difficulty of the Wearsiders’ schedule also ensures that Adam Johnson – who’s tallied four assists in three starts – remains on the periphery of our thinking.
Jordan Pickford made his Premier League bow for Sunderland between the sticks, usurping Vito Mannone. Notwithstanding the comprehensive scoreline, the England U21 international racked up seven saves in an impressive performance. Pitched at just 4.0, Pickford is certainly one to watch in the budget bracket, although there appears to be few guarantees on Sam Allardyce’s selection in goal at present.
Terry The Saviour
Courtesy of a John Terry back-heel in the 98th minute, Chelsea salvaged a point as their end-to-end thriller against Everton resulted in a 3-3 draw. The Blues captain – who was standing in an offside position – cancelled out an own goal earlier in the half with his first league strike of the season.
Diego Costa sparked the hosts’ initial comeback, scoring his fourth goal in as many league starts. The Spain international now boasts five goals in five outings under new boss Guus Hiddink. Costa also registered his second assist in three match-ups but then succumbed to injury in the 80th minute. Hiddink later admitted that his premier frontman was escorted to the hospital to undergo a scan on a shin injury.
Elsewhere, Cesc Fabregas served up his most productive performance of the season, recording a goal and assist for a 13-point FPL haul. Having claimed 19 assists in his last campaign, Fabregas has since been a non-event in Fantasy terms, having accumulated just one goal and three assists, giving us little reason to invest at 8.4.
The Chelsea back four continue to show erratic form. Having claimed back-to-back clean sheets in Gameweeks 19-20, they’ve now shipped five goals in their last two. Terry and the rearguard have gathered just six shut-outs over the season and trips to Arsenal and Watford up next look unlikely to help them add to that tally.
Everton Denied Again
The Toffees were left to rue another missed opportunity for three points after relinquishing their grip on a 2-0 lead.
Kevin Mirallas doubled the visitors’ advantage following Terry’s own goal, snagging his second goal in three outings. The Belgian winger – who’s operated on the periphery this term – now looks poised for a run of starts just as Everton’s schedule (SWA, NEW, sto, WBA) turns kinder, furnishing us with an intriguing differential.
Ramiro Funes Mori fired Everton back in front with his second goal of the season, while Leighton Baines blinked on the radar with a brace of assists. The 6.1-priced left-back harboured minimal appeal prior to the Blues clash but is coming into form just as Everton’s fixtures blossom. Considering the lack of stand-out mid- to high-priced defenders, Baines could justify short-term investment as another differential option.
Concluding the Merseysiders’ Fantasy output, Gerard Deulofeu – who’s been in and out of the starting line-up in recent Gameweeks – chalked up his ninth assist of the season. The Spaniard has suffered from Everton’s rotation policy in wide areas – Deulofeu has started just two of the last five as both Mirallas and Aaaron Lennon have crept into contention.
Having suffered back-to-back blanks, FPL sales of Romelu Lukaku have begun to escalate – only City’s Kolarov has suffered more overnight. However, given Everton’s fixtures (SWA, NEW, sto, WBA) there seems every reason to keep faith with the Belgian and indeed, Ross Barkley. Indeed, Lukaku would seem to be a real contender for the captaincy over the next two Gameweeks.
Buoyant Magpies Boosted By Shelvey Showing
Newcastle United followed up their spirited draw against Manchester United with another vibrant attacking display in a 2-1 win over West Ham, racking up the second-highest tally for shots on target (10) across the league in Saturday’s matches.
Georginio Wijnaldum was the Magpies’ star man yet again, scoring his second goal of the week and teeing up Ayoze Perez for the Spaniard’s fifth goal of the season. All of Wijnaldum’s nine league goals this term have arrived on home turf, providing prospective investors with food for thought as the Toon gear up for three away clashes across the next four Gameweeks (wat, eve, WBA, che).
In the other key talking points, Daryl Janmaat showcased his attacking potential with an assist, and Jonjo Shelvey commanded the midfield on his Newcastle debut. His addition to the Magpies ranks brought vastly improved links to the attack and suggests that Steve McClaren’s side could be a source of differential talent in the Gameweeks to come.
Hammers Succumb At St James’
The Hammers’ eight-match unbeaten run came to an end in a disappointing fashion at St James’ Park. Nikica Jelavic – who came on for Pedro Obiang at the break – offered hope of a comeback with his first league goal of the season, but Slaven Bilic’s men were second best for much of the encounter, tallying 13 fewer attempts (10 compared to 23) than Newcastle, while Dimitri Payet was largely shackled throughout.
The Irons will do well to avoid back-to-back defeats, given that they invite a confident Man City outfit to the Boleyn Ground next weekend.
Bilic’s back four have now kept just a single clean sheet in their last five heading into that testing home encounter.
Targett Inspires Saints Progress
New boy Charlie Austin observed from the stands as Southampton cruised to their third straight home win and clean sheet, scoring three past a disappointing West Brom side.
James Ward-Prowse demonstrated his set-piece proficiency, doubling his career goal tally with strikes from a free-kick and penalty, propelling Saints into a 2-0 lead at half time.
Dusan Tadic was once more utilised as an impact sub and again produced. The Serbian bagged his second goal in as many cameo appearances, with Steven Davis supplying the ammunition. Sadio Mane recorded his eighth assist of the season but is still searching for his first goal since Gameweek 10.
Matt Targett stands out as the key Fantasy factor in this encounter, however. His rebirth as a budget asset continued apace as he profited from his second assist and shut-out of the week.
The academy product has flourished since being tasked with a left wing-back role, with Ryan Bertrand slotting in on the left side of a back three. Targett appears to offer astonishing potential value given his blossoming form and 3.7 price tag. Southampton’s forthcoming short-term fixtures are the only caveat, with trips to Old Trafford and the Emirates up next (mun, ars, WHU, swa).
Baggies’ Backline Struggles Continue
For the third time this campaign, West Brom failed to register a single shot on target. Surprisingly, however, the St Mary’s defeat was only the second occasion in the last ten league matches that the Baggies have failed to score.
More significantly, Tony Pulis’ charges have now kept just a single shut-out in 12 league outings, underlining their decline at the back. Craig Dawson’s 5% ownership will hope that obliging back-to-back home ties (AVL, SWA) can promote greater rewards on the defensive front.
Mahrez Miss Costs Foxes
Leicester opened the scoring through Shinji Okazaki (two goals in five) but succumbed to a second-half equaliser at Villa Park.
Jamie Vardy failed to find the net for the sixth successive outing but did register his fifth assist of the season.
To the consternation of 11% of managers that captained Riyad Mahrez, the Algeria international missed his second penalty in a row, potentially shifting that duty onto Vardy for the foreseeable future.
Ultimately, the Foxes have netted just two goals in five matches but are afforded a good opportunity to get back on track with consecutive home encounters (STO, LIV).
Mahrez’ form is a major concern, however, as both he and Vardy regress as Fantasy forces at an alarming rate. Mahrez is without returns in his last five and, having potentially lost spot-kick duties, he is beginning to slip into fourth or even fifth midfielder status in most FPL squads. Both Mahrez and Vardy feature amongst the top five players sold in the FPL overnight as confidence continues to decline.
Daniels Inspires Cherries Win
Bournemouth banished their four-match winless streak with a resounding 3-0 victory over Norwich City. Charlie Daniels was yet another full-back to earn our attention, as he underlined his attacking threat with his second goal from the penalty spot in six matches and an impressive assist.
Given the Cherries’ strong run of fixtures through to Gameweek 30, Daniels (4.5) has arguably emerged as the prime defender priced 5.0 or below.
In the centre of the park, Dan Gosling (4.4) popped up with his third goal of the season – reaffirming his fifth midfielder credentials – while Marc Pugh proved an effective stand-in for the injured Matt Ritchie (dead leg), notching two assists.
Benik Afobe also cashed in at the Vitality Stadium, scoring his maiden goal for the south-coast outfit. Although Afobe was replaced at the 84-minute mark due to injury, Eddie Howe confirmed after the encounter that their new signing suffered a minor knock.
Canaries Slipping Back Into The Mire
Norwich City’s troubles on the road continued as they fell to their eighth away defeat. The Canaries remain the only team that’s failed to record a shut-out on their travels, which bodes well for Aston Villa and Leicester across the next five Gameweeks (LIV, TOT, avl, WHU, lei). For now, Alex Neil’s outfit lack consistency at both ends of the pitch, starving us of any differential potential. Instead, Fantasy managers are likely to focus on Norwich’s opponents in order to identify short-term profit.
