A first win for David Moyes’ West Ham delivered early Fantasy frustration for those holding key Chelsea assets Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata.
Just as one swallow doesn’t make a spring, one blank shouldn’t usher in a winter of discontent.
But there’s no doubting that Eden Hazard’s display at West Ham today was particularly ill-timed.
The Chelsea midfielder was one of the top three signings going into Gameweek 16, with more than 257,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers seduced by his 15-point haul in the win over Newcastle United.
The Blues’ schedule (hud SOT eve BHA STK) was another compelling reason for the move to Hazard, whose ownership has more than trebled over the past four Gameweeks, and those fixtures will now have to serve as consolation after today’s 1-0 loss at the London Stadium.
More than 300,000 managers (5.5%) trusted the Belgian the armband, only to see him blank for just the second time in seven Gameweeks.
But those who put their faith in Hazard’s team-mate, Alvaro Morata fared no better.
Heading into today’s contest, there was a report that suggested Morata had pulled up in training on Friday to be sent for scans.
Nonetheless, the Spaniard started against the Hammers having attracted over 236,000 new managers, while over 516,000 (9.4%) handed him the captaincy.
The 37.2%-owned striker failed to deliver for the third time in four Gameweeks, missing a big opportunity in the second half when sent clear by N’Golo Kante. He also remains one booking away from a one-match ban.
We have cited Morata as a reliable heavy-hitter option for Chelsea’s excellent run of fixtures. Instead, his form is starting to cause concern as he continues to tip-toe along a disciplinary tightrope.
Given that and Antonio Conte’s cautious approach to Chelsea’s schedule, it would be no surprise if Morata’s minutes are cut in Tuesday’s trip to Huddersfield Town.
Along with Hazard, the pair are Chelsea’s beating heart in attack away from home – they’ve scored or assisted 12 of the side’s 15 goals on the road this season – and today’s result should probably be viewed as a blip.
But of the two, it is Morata who now looks the more vulnerable in a season where premium forwards are struggling to justify their hefty price tags. He is already the most sold player ahead of Gameweek 17.
Alonso on brink of ban
Another Chelsea player producing little for a lot is wing-back Marcos Alonso (6.9).
The Spaniard has provided periods of both boom and bust for his 15.8% ownership this season – a 24-point haul from the first four Gameweeks was followed by just nine points from the next four, for instance.
Today’s zero-point display was his third of the campaign as he conceded early, was booked and then hauled off by coach Antonio Conte after 54 minutes.
The last time he was cautioned and subbed prior to 60 minutes was even more hurtful as it denied his owners clean sheet points in the Gameweek 6 win at Stoke City.
But that will be of little comfort to his owners as he now joins team-mates Morata and Antonio Rudiger on four yellows for the season.
After a breakthrough campaign last year in which he scored six goals and set up a further five, his attacking returns this season have also suffered.
He has no assists and two of his three goals came in the Gameweek 2 win at Spurs.
All of which continues to make Andreas Christensen (5.5) a more attractive option as a relatively cheap route into the Chelsea defence.
The Dane earned a sixth successive start today, while David Zappacosta was recalled at right wing-back as Victor Moses was rested to the bench, despite his two assists in the 3-1 win over Newcastle.
But investment in the Blues backline is currently a risky business.
Chelsea had conceded only twice in six Gameweeks before Marko Arnautovic’s winner today, but they’ve now kept just one clean sheet in four as question marks are raised on their resilience. Conte could well make shake up his defence for Tuesday’s encounter.
Willian and Pedro, who were introduced from the bench today at wing-back, will also be pushing for starts for the Terriers trip.
Adrian gets the nod
On a snowy weekend, there were unseasonally green shoots of recovery coming from David Moyes’ men.
The Hammers followed up a redoubtable, if ultimately doomed, display against Manchester City with a first win – and clean sheet – since Gameweek 7’s victory over Swansea City.
Moyes has instilled discipline and desire in his new charges and that, in turn, has increased the players’ confidence.
The manager has also not avoided making some big decisions, most notably retaining Adrian in goal ahead of Joe Hart after the on-loan England international missed out against his parent club last weekend.
Both Andy Carroll and Chicharito were fit and available again, but Moyes chose to keep Michail Antonio up front in a 3-4-2-1 in which Arnautovic and Manuel Lanzini operated behind, and often rotated with, the lone striker.
The Argentine midfielder provided the assist, while Aaron Cresswell operated as the left centre-back and Arthur Masuaku again impressed as left wing-back.
A second consecutive London derby, at home to Arsenal, looms on Wednesday, and then the Hammers’ schedule (stk NEW bou) picks up before their Double Gameweek 22 involving West Brom at home and a trip to Spurs.
If they can build on today’s performance, we can’t write off their assets as considerations for that double, even with a blank Gameweek 21.
Adrian (4.3), in particular, could be an option, as could Masuaku (4.4) if he continues to earn starts as a wing-back or on the left flank, having featured in the last four now.
