An injury scare for Hazard, a Depay double and another goal for Bolasie top Sunday’s international bill. Here’s the round-up of the action in Europe and Africa.
Belgium 8 Estonia 1
With apologies to any Estonians, but as they say in that great country: ‘Väravate vahe on üle hinnatud.’
At least that’s what Google translate came up with for ‘goal difference is over-rated’, although a scintillating Belgium were anything but as they finished their 2016 fixtures with a swagger.
Romelu Lukaku (9.8) hit a late double and provided an assist, Eden Hazard (10.1) scored for the sixth time in as many matches for club and country and Kevin De Bruyne (10.8) set up one goal and was influential throughout as Estonia were blown away.
The events were undoubtedly overshadowed by news of Eden Hazard’s withdrawal with a knock.
Signaling to the bench on 73 minutes, Hazard clearly had an issue and was subsequently removed by Roberto Martinez.
Early reports suggested a knee injury, only for Martinez to allay fears post-match by stating it was “just a knock on the calf”.
However, this morning we’re seeing conflicting quotes in sources stating it was in fact a kick to the ankle that prompted Hazard’s withdrawal.
“He received a blow to the ankle, but he is not hurt.”
Confusion reigns, with Chelsea undoubtedly keen to get the player back under the wing and assess him ahead of the Gameweek 12 meeting with Middlesbrough.
Hazard has been the top transfer target ahead of Saturday’s deadline, finding his way into 229,000 new FPL squads and climbing to 28.3% ownership. The transfer traffic will doubtless slow while we await his return and Antonio Conte’s news on both Hazard and Diego Costa but, given Martinez’ reaction, we can be hopeful that Hazard will remain in contention.
Elsewhere, Hazard’s team-mate Thibaut Courtois (5.5) returned in goal for Belgium following his own scare concerning an eye injury and Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen (5.7) also started.
Everton midfielder Kevin Mirallas (6.2) replaced Hazard after 73 minutes and Simon Mignolet (4.8), Christian Benteke (7.6), Steven Defour (6.0), Divock Origi (6.5) and Michy Batshuayi (8.6) were unused substitutes.
Neither Marouane Fellaini (5.8), Vincent Kompany (5.9), who pulled out of last Wednesday’s friendly with Holland, nor his replacement, Christian Kabasele (4.8), made even the bench – something Ragnar Klavan (4.7) would have probably settled for after enduring a torrid time at the heart of the Estonian defence.
The Liverpool man capped an ugly evening by scoring an own goal.
Luxembourg 1 Holland 3
Holland threatened to plumb new depths when they went in at half-time 1-1 with lowly Luxembourg.
But a double from substitute Memphis Depay (7.2) saved the day, and possibly reminded Jose Mourinho – and perhaps Ronald Koeman – of his goal scoring prowess.
In a season of high-scoring midfielders, The Red Devils middlemen have managed just five league goals between them, so Depay’s strikes – his first in nine appearances for club and country this campaign – won’t have harmed his previously limited prospects. And they don’t come much more limited than a mere 24 minutes from 11 Gameweeks.
Team-mate Daley Blind (5.8) crossed for Depay’s first. His second came from a free kick. Georginio Wijnaldum (7.5) had earlier set up Holland’s opener.
Maarten Stekelenburg (5.1) and Virgil Van Dijk (5.4) both started, while Middlesbrough’s Marten de Roon (4.3) came on for the last two minutes.
Michel Vorm (4.9), Leroy Fer, (5.1) Jordy Clasie (4.7) and Bruno Martins Indi (4.9) were all unused subs. Vincent Janssen (7.7) was not even in the squad after suffering concussion in the draw with Belgium last week and remains a doubt for Tottenham’s home match with West Ham on Saturday.
Things were generally less fraught across Europe on Sunday, although Bosnia And Herzegovina keeper Asmir Begovic (4.8) was beaten by a late, late goal in Greece to conclude a second half in which eight yellow and two red cards were brandished.
That match ended 1-1, while Switzerland beat Faroe Islands 2-0. Granit Xhaka (5.2) earned his 50th Swiss cap and Valon Behrami (4.5) also played the full 90 minutes and provided the assist for the opener. Edimilson Fernandes (4.9) made his debut in a 21-minute run-out after the break.
Southampton defender Jose Fonte (5.4) started as Portugal beat Latvia 4-1.
In Africa, Everton’s Yannick Bolasie (6.1) continued his fine from with a goal in Congo DR’s 2-1 win in Guinea. He was subbed off after 78 minutes, while Hull’s Dieumerci Mbokani (5.5) played the full 90 minutes – something he’s managed just the once in the league this season.
Mohamed Elneny (4.6) started Egypt’s 2-0 win over Ghana, with Hull’s Ahmed Elmohamady (4.8) an unused substitute.
Leicester’s Daniel Amartey (4.5) and West Ham midfielder Andre Ayew (7.1) started for Ghana. The former’s team-mate, Jeffrey Schlupp (4.9), played the last 20 minutes.
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