Fantasy Premier League managers got their first indication of the penalty-taking pecking order at Newcastle in the latest round of pre-season friendlies.
Meanwhile, Tom Heaton got some more minutes under his belt in Nick Pope’s absence, and Richarlison impressed for Watford.
We’ve got all the latest goals, assists and Fantasy talking points from pre-season.
Burnley 0-1 Shrewsbury Town / Burnley 0-2 Blackpool
- Goals: None
- Assists: None
Tom Heaton (£5.0m) registered another hour of football for Burnley with Nick Pope (£5.0m) still yet to return following the World Cup. The former Manchester United man was involved in one of two concurrent friendly matches played behind closed doors at the Clarets’ training ground on Tuesday.
First team players were split evenly across the two pitches but neither XI could find a breakthrough against League One opposition.
Daniel Agyei was the most dangerous for Burnley against Shrewsbury but in the end a Charlie Taylor (£4.5m) own-goal was the difference.
On the other pitch, Sam Vokes (£5.5m) and Nakhi Wells (£4.5m) went closest but Joseph Dodoo and Harry Pritchard got the goals for Blackpool.
The only players other than Pope not to be involved in either match were Robbie Brady (£5.5m), Steven Defour (£5.5m), Ashley Barnes (£6.0m) and Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£6.0m), although the latter is now back in training after returning from World Cup duty with Iceland.
BURNLEY XI v SHREWSBURY: Heaton (Legzdins 60’); Taylor, Long, Tarkowski, Lowton; Koiki (Chakwana 60’), Westwood, O’Neill, Lennon; Agyei, Wood.
BURNLEY XI v BLACKPOOL: Legzdins (Lindegaard 45’); Ward, Mee, Dunne, Bardsley; Walters, Cork, Hendrick, McNeil; Wells (Massanka 45’), Vokes.
ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC 0-2 NEWCASTLE UNITED
- Goals: Sean Longstaff, Christian Atsu (£5.5m)
- Assists: Matt Ritchie (£6.0m), Dwight Gayle (£6.0m)
Christian Atsu (£5.5m) appears to have the advantage in the Newcastle United penalty-taking pecking order after the club’s first pre-season match.
The Magpies were 2-0 winners over St. Patrick’s Athletic, with Atsu scoring the second from the spot after Dwight Gayle (£6.0m) was fouled.
As a precautionary measure, Jamaal Lascelles (£5.0m) did not take part in the match due to muscle tightness. Jacob Murphy (£5.0m), Paul Dummett (£4.5m) and Martin Dubravka (£5.0m) were all absent too.
For the first goal, Ayoze Perez (£6.5m) pounced on a loose ball, drove forward and played in Joselu (£5.0m), whose shot was saved. Matt Ritchie (£6.0m) gathered the rebound and his deflected cross fell to central midfielder Sean Longstaff, who struck the back of the net.
Exciting attacking midfielder Kenedy (£5.0m) had two chances in the second-half, hitting the post and forcing a good save out of Saints goalkeeper Barry Murphy, furthering his appeal for the new FPL season.
The result was settled late on when Gayle was fouled in the penalty area after being put through by Atsu. The latter took the spot-kick and dispatched it confidently.
NEWCASTLE UNITED XI (4-2-3-1): Darlow (Sels 45’); Manquillo (Clark 45’), Lejeune (Roberts 45’), Yarney, Fernandez (Yedlin 45’); Diame (Shelvey 45’), Longstaff; Aarons (Kenedy 45’), Pérez (Armstrong 45’), Ritchie (Atsu 45’); Joselu (Gayle 45’).
FC KÖLN 1-1 WATFORD
- Goals: Andre Gray (£6.0m)
- Assists: Richarlison (£6.5m)
Andre Gray (£6.0m) and Richarlison (£6.5m) were the brightest players in Watford’s first match of pre-season, which they drew 1-1.
The pair linked up well going forward and both had good chances to score, with the Brazilian stationed on the left-flank but constantly drifting in to support Gray.
It was the two of them who combined for the Hornets’ only goal of the match in the first-half. Will Hughes (£5.0m) won possession and put Richarlison through, who then slid the ball across to Gray to finish at the far post.
Gray had the chance to make it two when, again, Hughes won the ball in midfield and this time released Daryl Janmaat (£5.0m). His cross was close to the former Burnley man, but it was turned behind for a corner.
Heurelho Gomes (£4.5m) came on for Ben Foster (£4.5m) at half-time and could have done better for Köln’s equaliser. Salih Oczan’s low cross from the left was easily turned into the empty Watford net by Jhon Córdoba after a poor decision from the Brazilian.
WATFORD FIRST-HALF XI: (4-1-4-1): Foster; Masina, Kabasele, Cathcart, Janmaat; Capoue; Richarlison, Pereyra, Hughes, Sema; Gray.
WATFORD SECOND-HALF XI (4-2-3-1): Gomes; Holebas, Britos, Mariappa, Femenia; Hoban, Wilmot; Success, Sinclair, Lukebakio; Deeney.
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