EFL Cup Scout Notes – Morata Picks Up Ban

Chelsea leave it late to beat Bournemouth, with their match-winner picking up a one-match ban that has Fantasy repercussions, while Man United fall victim to a spot of Bristol City giant-killing.

Alvaro Morata scored a late, late winner to send Chelsea into the EFL Cup semi-final at the expense of Bournemouth.

But the Spaniard was also booked in the tie, meaning he will now miss Saturday’s trip to Everton having accrued five cautions this season.

That’s a blow to his 21.4% ownership – and also bad news for the 15.0% with Eden Hazard in their Fantasy Premier League squads.

The midfielder, who was brought on after 61 minutes by coach Antonio Conte last night, has thrived in partnership with Morata, but struggled in his absence.

Working with the forward from Gameweeks 9 to 16, Hazard scored five goals and produced three assists, with that run including a nine-minute cameo against Swansea City and a shutout by West Ham.

The partnership has been particularly fruitful for Hazard away from home – in just four matches on the road alongside the summer signing, he has produced 39 FPL points.

But he has just one assist from the last three Gameweeks, and he played two of those matches as a false nine due to a back injury to Morata.

With Morata now missing again, Conte looks likely to employ the Belgian in the same role at Goodison Park.

Willian, who opened the scoring last night, and Pedro would be expected to complete a front three – a system in which Hazard’s goal threat is vastly reduced.

Over the last two Gameweeks, he has managed just two attempts on goal.

Morata’s ban has understandably accelerated sales of the striker. The Spaniard has been transferred out by 92,000+ for Gameweek 19, making him the fifth most sold player.

He has now lost close to half of the two million managers who had him in their FPL teams going into Gameweek 16 as the move from premium forwards to big-hitting midfielders gathers pace.

All change from Chelsea and Cherries

Conte made eight alterations to the side that beat Southampton last weekend, with key defenders Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen given the night off and Marcos Alonso serving a one-match suspension.

Cesc Fabregas started his first match in three in all competitions and set up Willian’s opener, while Hazard and Morata were only on the pitch thanks to the inability of their team-mates – and forward Michy Batshuayi in particular – to put Bournemouth away.

The Cherries rallied after the break and equalised in stoppage time when Dan Gosling curled home a shot from Callum Wilson’s pass.

Morata’s last-gasp winner was hard on Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe, who had made seven changes to his side, and his evening was hardly improved by the news that striker Jermain Defoe is now a big doubt for the weekend trip to Man City.

The veteran forward had to be replaced after 17 minutes last night with suspected ankle ligament issue. Harry Arter is also a concern after picking up a calf complaint.

United they fall

Man United suffered a shock 2-1 defeat by Championship high-fliers Bristol City, although the result will at least ease the fixture congestion for a side still in the Champions League.

Coach Jose Mourinho made ten changes to the team that won at West Brom last weekend, with Marcus Rashford the only survivor and Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic both starting.

The Frenchman, back from a three-match suspension, has picked up more than 84,000 new managers heading into Gameweek 19’s trip to Leicester City, making him the sixth most popular purchase this week.

But he cut a frustrated figure at Ashton Gate and picked up a booking for his troubles.

Ibrahimovic, meanwhile, started for the first time since sustaining a major knee injury at the end of last season and marked the occasion with the equalising goal from a free-kick following a foul on Pogba.

The Swede played 69 minutes before being replaced by the out-of-favour Henrikh Mkhitaryan, while Pogba lasted the entire match.

Key players missing included David De Gea, Phil Jones, Ashley Young, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard, while Romelu Lukaku was introduced on 61 minutes as United went after a winner.

Gameweek blanks on the horizon

The semi-final draw has pitted Man City against Bristol City and Arsenal against Chelsea, with the two-legged ties taking place on Tuesday, January 9 – between Gameweek 22 and the FA Cup third round – and Tuesday, January 23.

Gameweek 24 comes before those second legs, involving Brighton v Chelsea, Arsenal v Crystal Palace and Man City v Newcastle, with the FA Cup fourth round to follow.

The Carabao Cup final is due to take place on February 25 – the weekend of Gameweek 28.

That week, Arsenal are scheduled to play Man City, while Chelsea are up against Man United.

Essentially, then, if Man City progress to the final, both themselves and Arsenal will have a blank Gameweek 28.

And if Chelsea beat the Gunners in the other semi-final, then Conte’s side and Man United will also be without a fixture that weekend.