Theo Walcott strikes to secure an Everton victory and end Newcastle United’s run of wins, as Fantasy managers benefit from defensive returns.
Walcott converted a Yannick Bolasie cross at the second attempt, mis-controlling initially before seeing the ball ricochet back to him via DeAndre Yedlin.
It marked only the second match in which Walcott has found the net for the Toffees following a brace back in Gameweek 25.
A run of just one assist in nine Gameweeks has understandably seen Walcott decline and stall as a Fantasy attraction – he went into Monday’s encounter owned by just 169,000+ managers.
Some 8,900 of those had the foresight to bring in the winger with their Free Hit; it meant that Walcott was found in just 5.7% of squads built with that chip for Gameweek 35.
There faith in Everton’s defence was stronger.
A quiet night for Pickford
Having kept two clean sheets in the previous three at home before last night’s shut-out, the Magpies’ visit provided enough incentive for significant Free Hit investment.
Jordan Pickford was signed by 40,000+ managers before Saturday’s deadline, second only to Ederson among FPL goalkeepers.
But another 40,000 also acquired the keeper with their Free Hit, meaning that he was found in 26.1% of the chip’s squads.
Ironically, Pickford had a restful evening and was called upon to make just two saves; it’s only the second time in nine Gameweeks that he has failed to produce a save point.
As a result, the bonus points went elsewhere, with Michael Keane and Leighton Baines the chief benefactors.
Keane was a major differential in the Toffees backline. He earned the maximum bonus but was limited to an eight-point return following a booking. The centre-back was part of just 307,000 squads, which included 7,000 Free Hit managers.
Baines was a far more popular target.
Some 18,000 used a Gameweek transfer on the full-back, while another 41,000 acquired him with the Free Hit. Like Keane, he delivered eight points on the night.
Everton’s assets are now set to fade from view in Fantasy terms. While their fixtures are strong (hud SOU whu), they offer no Double Gameweek and continue to be erratic as a source of both defensive and attacking returns.
Magpies fail the chipless
While a good proportion of Free Hit managers benefited from the Everton clean sheet, those without the chip active who invested in Newcastle’s budget assets were left empty-handed.
Striker Ayoze Perez was brought in by 136,000 ahead of Gameweek 35, making him the eighth most signed player.
That investment followed a run of three goals and two assists from his last three starts.
But despite firing five shots on goal, Perez blanked, along with budget midfielder Kenedy, who was acquired by another 13,000 managers prior to the deadline.
Walcott’s goal also denied the clean sheet, as those holding keeper Martin Dubravka and full-back Paul Dummett were disappointed.
But unlike Everton, there is still some life in Newcastle’ Fantasy appeal.
They face a home fixture with a resurgent West Brom in Gameweek 36, before two fixtures in Gameweek 37 as they travel to Watford and Spurs.
Neither of those fixtures scream big returns, though Dummett and Kenedy will likely be retained and recruited as cut-price options – particularly by late Bench Boosters – for the double-header.
