Scout Notes – Salah Streak Goes On

Mohamed Salah delivers once again both for Liverpool and his huge Fantasy Premier League (FPL) ownership, while the million-plus managers who instead handed the armband to Harry Kane just about get away with their decision.

Salah was the most-captained player for a third successive Gameweek, with 1.5 million managers rewarded with the prolific Egyptian’s sixth goal from his last five starts as the Reds saw off Newcastle 2-0.

He beat Kane both for popularity and, yet again for points, by scoring eight to the Spurs striker’s modest five, but it could have been more emphatic had a late, late penalty appeal gone in Salah’s favour.

Then again, James Milner was on the pitch by that juncture, so he could well have taken the spot-kick anyway, while replays showed any offence probably took place outside the area.

Salah, almost incredibly, has now blanked in just one of his last 11 Gameweek starts, although he once again failed to receive any bonus for his efforts today and during this latest six-goal spree, he’s been awarded just five extra points.

That, however, is a minor gripe when considering a man who is well over 50 points better off than any other player in FPL.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain marked his third successive start in central midfield by setting up Salah’s opener to make it back-to-back assists for the England man.

He’s also been involved in seven goals over his last 11 starts as he continues to adapt well to life at Liverpool.

There was no goal for Roberto Firmino, although he kept his 42.1% ownership relatively happy with an assist for Sadio Mane’s clincher.

That made it two goals in as many matches for the midfielder, having endured a four-Gameweek drought previously, and the fact that Liverpool’s three-pronged attack all delivered again makes a strong case for Gameweek 31 investment in the Reds’ bounteous offensive resources.

But those who have gone for a defensive option were rewarded with a third clean sheet in five matches.

With the bonus points also being divided up between Trent Alexander-Arnold, Loris Karius and Dejan Lovren, the case for the defence remains one worthy of consideration.

Top bonus billing went to Alexander-Arnold on his fourth consecutive start, although both Joe Gomez and Nathaniel Clyne are fit and offering coach Jurgen Klopp options at right-back.

Lovren replaced Joel Matip today, making Virgil van Dijk, again, the only reliable starter at centre-half.

Kane in the shadow of Son

Spurs eased past an ultra-defensive Huddersfield 2-0, but it proved an uncomfortable match for the 1.4 million managers who handed Harry Kane the armband.

The striker didn’t want for chances – his six shots (five of which came in the box) is the most of any player in the Gameweek so far – and he produced a superb assist for the second goal.

But five points is a relatively meagre return for a captaincy stalwart as the season moves towards its climax – particularly when Salah outscored him as soon as he slotted home in the first half at Anfield.

It was the ninth time in 15 home matches that Kane has failed to find the net, although he does have 11 goals from the other six.

Instead, the undoubted star of the show was Son Heung-min, who hit a brace in an exhilarating 70-minute performance.

Having dropped to the bench at Crystal Palace in Gameweek 28, it was no surprise to see Son recalled at Wembley, where he’s now scored nine goals in his last 11 league starts.

That didn’t stop 80,000+ selling him on before today’s match; a justifiable decision perhaps given that he had blanked in the last five Gameweeks.

He lost over 207,000 owners over that dry period, but clearly remains an integral part of Spurs’ attack as Mauricio Pochettino subbed him early to presumably preserve him for the vital midweek Champions League clash with Juventus.

In contrast to the South Korean, Ben Davies went into the match as the second most popular purchase of the Gameweek, picking up 203,000 new owners.

His ninth straight start delivered a sixth clean sheet in that run and, as a defensive unit, Spurs continue to impress with Davies in the side.

They’ve conceded the fewest goals (4), kept the most clean sheets (6) and allowed the fewest shots on target (19) with Davies over those nine matches.

The Welshman has also created more chances (12) than any other defender during that spell.

Davinson Sanchez came back into the side after a spot on the bench for the midweek FA Cup replay against Rochdale, with Jan Vertonghen returning from injury to partner him at centre-half.

The Belgian promptly picked up two bonus points, with Serge Aurier earning one.

Maximum bonus went, of course, to Son, for a 16-point haul that equalled his best tally for the season, while Dele Alli provided an assist for his first haul in four starts.

As for Huddersfield, they seemed to approach the match as an exercise in keeping the scoreline respectable, with five key matches (SWA CRY new bha WAT) now to come.

But knocks for Collin Quaner and Alex Pritchard will be a concern for the club ahead of that vital run – and for those considering Terriers assets for Gameweek 31.