A day notable, in the main, for fortuitous goals and returns.
It began with Alexis Sanchez breaking the hearts of the 75,000 who had jettisoned him early ahead of the Gameweek 26 blank. Notching his first via a gloved hand, the next arrived in stoppage time – his second at the death penalty in the space of four Gameweeks.
With referee Mark Clattenburg reportedly admitting, on review at half-time, that the opening goal was handled, the Sanchez returns will be a particularly bitter pill to swallow for his non-owners.
But arguably Sanchez makes his own luck. Once again he was Arsenal’s bright spark in a performance that was otherwise laboured and lacklustre.
The Chilean could and should have scored earlier and, over his 90 minutes, recorded six efforts on goal.
In his last four Emirates matches, he’s provided a total of 31 efforts – in each of those Gameweeks he’s registered more attempts than any other player. Quite simply, he is untouchable as a source of pure goal threat.
If you don’t own Sanchez, he rarely makes for pleasant viewing.
Similarly, at least among defenders, West Brom’s Gareth McAuley is arguably peerless as a threat to opponents.
Going into the trip to the London Stadium, the centre-back had converted four of his five headers on target into goals – all had direct arrived from corners.
Today he made it five, although it could hardly have been a more fortuitous effort.
Taking up his customary position inside the box for a late Chris Brunt corner, it was adjudged that McAuley got the last touch on Jonny Evans header.
In fairness, the goal was immediately chalked up as his when it arrived via Opta. In real-time his touch seemed indiscernible and yet it was a decision later reviewed and upheld by the Premier League Match Centre.
McAuley had wheeled away to celebrate and, as the last West Brom player to get a touch, the goal was credited as his fifth of the season – again from a corner.
Like Sanchez, McAuley is an asset that, perhaps through endeavour, fortune has favoured this season.
Coming alive at set-pieces, he has delivered reliably when the Baggies defence gives way.
Just as Sanchez’ energy and raw goal threat almost inevitably brings reward by the whistle, so McAuley’s mere presence in the box on the end of deliveries from Matt Phillips or Brunt, has delivered unexpected points; no more unexpected than today’s.
Some Fantasy managers will have benefited from both these lucky charms but, given the statistics in their name to this point, clearly both Sanchez and McAuley have been buying lottery tickets all season. Today their numbers came up.
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Grant
Nyom Britos Baines Chambers Brunt
De Roon Haz Mane Phillips
Costa (C)
Jaku Zlatan Sanchez Jesus