Jamie Vardy bags a brace as Leicester hold firm at the top of the Premier League. Divock Origi scores twice as a much-changed Liverpool sweep aside Stoke at Anfield, whilst Spurs put three past United without reply to maintain their slim hopes of the title.

Foxes hold steady at the summit

Leicester City retained their seven-point lead at the summit by way of a convincing 2-0 victory at Sunderland.

Jamie Vardy came back to haunt the 128,000 Fantasy managers that shipped him out prior to this weekend, ending his six-match scoring drought with a second-half brace. Considering that the Foxes next match up against a West Ham United defence that conceded nine goals in their previous quartet of league ties, the league’s second-top scorer (21 goals) could well deliver further punishment to his sellers.

Danny Drinkwater and Demarai Gray – who’s shaping up to be one to watch next term – supplied the ammunition for Vardy’s two strikes.

Leicester’s defence once again held firm as they recorded their fifth clean sheet on the bounce. Astonishingly, Claudio Ranieri’s troops have conceded just six goals and racked up 11 clean sheets since Gameweek 19, underlining the value of their budget rearguard assets. It’s worth noting, however, that tougher tests lay ahead (WHU, SWA, mun, EVE, che), given that the East Midlanders faced six of the bottom eight clubs across their last seven fixtures.

Another blow for Black Cats

Sunderland managed just one shot on target as they turned out a toothless performance against the league leaders.

Although Sunderland boast one clean sheet in 18 and posted blanks in their last two outings, their double Gameweek 37 (CHE & EVE) – which pits them against teams with little to play for in the final stages – keeps them on our Fantasy radar. Certainly, our appraisal of the Black Cats’ prospects would alter dramatically if they are already consigned to relegation by that juncture.

Spurs keep title hopes alive

Tottenham Hotspur preserved their quest for Premier League glory with an authoritative 3-0 home win over Manchester United.

Bagging his first goal in nine outings, Dele Alli frustrated 60,000 managers that cut ties in light of Spurs’ lack of a double Gameweek. In a similar vein to Vardy, the former MK Dons starlet harbours the capacity to repeat the feat next time out against a Stoke City outfit that surrendered nine goals in their previous four matches.

Elsewhere in the Spurs camp, Harry Kane suffered a rare blank as midfielders Erik Lamela (goal and assist) and Christian Eriksen (assist) also contributed to the cause. Incidentally, the latter charts seventh among all midfielders for points-per-game average (5.1), illustrating his differential potential.

At the back, Toby Alderweireld claimed a mammoth 15-point haul by virtue of Spurs’ third clean sheet in four and his fourth goal of the season. Danny Rose also showcased his attacking spark, registering his seventh assist – two more than any other defender.

Meanwhile, a fit-again Jan Vertonghen was drafted in for Kevin Wimmer, starving us of a budget route into the Lilywhites’ rearguard ahead of two clashes (sto, WBA) that look conducive to shut-outs.

Toothless United swept aside

Man United succumbed to their third away defeat in four following a collapse in the final 20 minutes at White Hart Lane.

To the dismay of Matteo Darmian’s 17,000 new backers, Timothy Fosu-Mensah was selected ahead of the Italian and produced an excellent performance that portends further starts. However, the callow right-back was later withdrawn at the 68-minute mark due to injury, rendering him a doubt for the Red Devils’ double Gameweek (AVL & CRY). Ultimately, Chris Smalling remains the only secure defender among their back line.

At the other end of the pitch, the fact that United netted just two goals in their last four outings doesn’t bode well for their attacking prospects next Gameweek. Moreover, no side amassed fewer attempts (27) and shots inside the box (14) during that period, underlining their impotency in the final third.

Origi at the double

Despite fielding a much-changed side from their draw against Tottenham, Liverpool put Stoke City to the sword in a 4-1 win.

With one eye fixated on the Europa League clash against Borussia Dortmund, Jurgen Klopp dropped the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho and Adam Lallana, raising concerns over their rotation threat for double Gameweek 34 (bou, EVE) should Liverpool progress past the German outfit in midweek.

Daniel Sturridge scored (Sheyi Ojo assist) Liverpool’s second goal of the afternoon, meaning he’s produced attacking returns (three goals, one assist) in his last four outings – perhaps tempting a smattering of managers to gamble on his playing time next Gameweek. That being said, Divock Origi’s second-half brace highlights the competition for places, which could find the in-form marksmen sharing starts against Bournemouth and Everton.

At long last, Alberto Moreno served up a Gameweek score (12 points) befitting of his exceptional underlying statistics, grabbing a goal and assist at Anfield. With Jon Flanagan waiting in the wings, though, he too could be in line for a rest at the Vitality Stadium depending on the Merseysiders’ midweek exertions.

James Milner (6.5) kept his points tally ticking over with a brace of assists, reaffirming his status as a cut-price source of Reds attacking coverage.

Stoke humbled despite Shawcross return

Stoke were comprehensively outplayed by Liverpool as they shipped four goals in a match for the first time this campaign.

Courtesy of Xherdan Shaqiri’s assist, Bojan Krkic gave the Potters’ supporters reason to cheer with an equaliser at the 22-minute mark. Their optimism was short-lived, however, considering that Stoke’s rearguard – which was marshalled by the returning Ryan Shawcross – was unable to rebuff the hosts’ waves of attacks.

Erik Pieters is set to serve a two-match ban after earning his tenth caution of the campaign yesterday. The left-back will miss upcoming clashes against Spurs and Man City before returning to contention in time for the Gameweek 36 home match against Sunderland.

The Staffordshire club now embark on a testing quintet of fixtures (TOT, mci, SUN, cry, WHU) to close out the season and lack a double Gameweek, deterring investment in their squad from this point on.