Dugout Discussion

3pm team news: Keane starts, Woltemade benched again, no Ekitike

4 January 2026 977 comments
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After Leeds United and Manchester United cancelled each other out at Elland Road, the Premier League action continues with four 3pm GMT kick-offs:

TEAM NEWS

The absence of Hugo Ekitike from the Liverpool matchday squad is the headline team news.

The Frenchman misses out due to a minor fitness issue.

Andrew Robertson and Jeremie Frimpong drop to the bench, with Milos Kerkez, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo coming into the starting XI.

Issa Diop, Timothy Castagne and Tom Cairney start for Fulham.

Kenny Tete, Sander Berge and Kevin make way.

At Goodison Park, David Moyes makes two changes to the side that beat Nottingham Forest.

Michael Keane and Jack Grealish replace Nathan Patterson and Merlin Rohl.

Keith Andrews brings in Aaron Hickey, Mathias Jensen and Mikkel Damsgaard for Brentford, with Rico Henry, Jordan Henderson and Keane Lewis-Potter dropping to the bench.

Jacob Murphy for Harvey Barnes is the only change for Newcastle United from Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Burnley.

Yoane Wissa consequently starts up front again in place of Nick Woltemade.

Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento return from injury as substitutes.

Oliver Glasner gives new signing Brennan Johnson his Crystal Palace debut as he replaces Justin Devenny.

Tottenham Hotspur give chances to Ben Davies and Mathys Tel.

Djed Spence and Palhinha drop to the bench.

Sunderland are unchanged from the side that drew with Manchester City in midweek.

LINE-UPS

Everton XI: Pickford, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko, Garner, Iroegbunam, Dibling, McNeil, Grealish, Barry

Subs: Travers, King, Patterson, Beto, Rohl, Aznou, Armstrong, Welch, Campbell

Brentford XI: Kelleher, Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Hickey, Janelt, Yarmoliuk, Damsgaard, Jensen, Schade, Thiago

Subs: Valdimarsson, Henry, van den Berg, Pinnock, Nelson, Henderson, Lewis-Potter, Peart-Harris, Donovan

Fulham XI: Leno, Diop, Andersen, Cuenca, Castagne, Lukic, Cairney, Robinson, Wilson, Smith Rowe, Jimenez

Subs: McNally, Lecomte, Amissah, Berge, Ridgeon, Reed, Traore, Kusi-Asare, Kevin

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Bradley, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Wirtz, Gakpo

Subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Ramsay, Frimpong, Gomez, Robertson, Nyoni, Chiesa, Ngumoha

Newcastle United XI: Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall, Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton, J Murphy, Gordon, Wissa

Subs: Ramsdale, Trippier, Botman, Barnes, Livramento, Woltemade, Willock, A Murphy, Ramsey

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Lerma, Lacroix, Guehi, Clyne, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell, Johnson, Pino, Mateta

Subs: Benitez, Uche, Esse, Canvot, Sosa, Rodney, Devenny, Benamar, Drakes-Thomas

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Davies, Bentancur, Gray, Kudus, Odobert, Tel, Richarlison

Subs: Kinsky, Dragusin, Danso, Spence, Bergvall, Palhinha, Williams-Barnett, Kolo Muani, Scarlett

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Cirkin, Geertruida, Xhaka, Adingra, Le Fee, Mayenda, Brobbey

Subs: Patterson, O’Nien, Ballard, Hjelde, Neil, Jones, Tutierov, Mundle, Rigg

Introducing The Eye Test 2
977 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. DA Minnion (Former great)
    10 months, 10 days ago

    Whats the story with Ekitike?

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    1. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Minor injury apparently

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    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Arne Slot on Ekitike: "Hugo picked up a slight hamstring injury because we had to play him more and more minutes. Hopefully he will be back for the Arsenal game."

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      1. Qaiss
        10 months, 10 days ago

        And likely no update before the deadline, fantastic

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      2. el polako
        10 months, 10 days ago

        He’s a professional athlete, of course he couldn’t manage more minutes.

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      3. Brosstan
        10 months, 10 days ago

        Why are players these days so useless fitness wise. "Couldnt play more minutes"... you are running around and kicking a ball a few times a week for millions, get in shape.

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        1. Bigbars
          10 months, 10 days ago

          Or fitness teams ignoring their own metrics and not spotting signs that they are reaching their physical limits. They are monitored throughout games and training sessions. For me this is a clear reminder that it is a squad game. Teams have to trust their squads or dont have them. Malacia for example, is on the bench for united, if you dont want him, ship him.

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        2. Brosstan
          10 months, 10 days ago

          Ledley King used to be so injury prone that he didnt train. He still played every single match. Why are modern fitness coaches so useless?

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          1. Bigbars
            10 months, 10 days ago

            spending too much time relying on their tech and what their fancy laptops say, than doing the basics.

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          2. thegaffer82
            10 months, 10 days ago

            Ledley King did not play every single game. He missed a lot of games!

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          3. x.jim.x
            10 months, 10 days ago

            Ledley King, famous for his availability

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  2. Boxwoods
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 months, 10 days ago

    Now relying on Pep to prevent rival getting undeserved Rice points. Should be fine, right?

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    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Who do you need to play

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      1. Boxwoods
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        10 months, 10 days ago

        Unfortunately O’Reilly, among others.

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    2. el polako
      10 months, 10 days ago

      I never understood this bench jam accusation.

      You pick 15 players for a reason and they all matter.

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      1. Brosstan
        10 months, 10 days ago

        The worst bench jam is when people make a shite decision to bench a certain player and still get rewarded like Rice benchers this week.

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      2. NABIL - FPL otai
        10 months, 10 days ago

        Just being salty

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      3. Boxwoods
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        10 months, 10 days ago

        Brostan gets it. Flag notwithstanding, Rice second bench (behind Chalobah at the Etihad!) is managerial malpractice!

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  3. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 months, 10 days ago

    Was worrying about which one of Minteh, Keane & Alderete to play.

    Minteh & Ekitike made that one easy 😆

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    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Funnily enough, I have all four of those and I picked all to play. Have Heaven and Anderson coming off bench, so could be worse I supppose.

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  4. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 months, 10 days ago

    Fulham v Liverpool kick off delayed by 15 mins...

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    1. el polako
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Waiting for Florian Wirtz to turn up…

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      1. tiger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        10 months, 10 days ago

        I said 15 minutes, not 6 months 😉

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        1. el polako
          10 months, 10 days ago

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        2. g40steve
          10 months, 10 days ago

          Brutal, but true.

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  5. Sailboats
    10 months, 10 days ago

    Need big things from Thiago today

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    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Sold him for Bowen.

      He'll score for you, I can guarantee

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      1. Sailboats
        10 months, 10 days ago

        He really scored

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    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 10 days ago

      I doubt it

      Brentford do better at home

      Unless he gets a penalty

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    3. The Philosopher
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Let him finish the game first.

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  6. Ajax Hamsterdam
    10 months, 10 days ago

    how nailed is richarlison? nice fixtures coming up, need an etikite replacement and funds to upgrade szobo to rice. cheers

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    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 10 days ago

      He's too variable

      I wouldn't go there again

      DCL or Watkins if you can afford it?

      Ekitike should be back too, for Arsenal on Thursday then Burnley!

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      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        10 months, 10 days ago

        will he defo start v burnley if fit though?

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  7. NABIL - FPL otai
    10 months, 10 days ago

    Who will get more points next GW?
    A. Collins (SUN)
    B. Ekitike (ars)

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  8. tucaoneo
    10 months, 10 days ago

    Guy in my ML put Rice on the bench.
    But then Ekitike no show means Rice comes in. Ugh.

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    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      10 months, 10 days ago

      is that not the whole point of the bench? just wondering 🙂

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    2. F4L
      10 months, 10 days ago

      people only benched rice because of arteta's bs. not really their fault

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      1. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        10 months, 10 days ago

        I think it was a case where he starts if fit, but doesn't make 1 pt cameo. I would have started him had I owned him. Arteta talking bs shouldn't be news.

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  9. F4L
    10 months, 10 days ago

    could do with one of collins, tarkowski or romero scoring today

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  10. el polako
    10 months, 10 days ago

    Apparently they had to call in for ambulance on the Craven Cottage.

    That’s probably game called off then, current NHS waiting time is 7 hours.

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    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Why? Does the whole crowd and teams have to go with the poor soul to A & E?

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  11. Bobby Digital
    10 months, 10 days ago

    Ekitike hamstring... WC time

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    1. Sailboats
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Why? You can sell him to anyone

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      1. Bobby Digital
        10 months, 10 days ago

        I have Semenyo too and need to get Gabriel.

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        1. Sailboats
          10 months, 10 days ago

          Semenyo should be good for another game i think

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    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 10 days ago

      What's the source for this?

      Only heard a minor training ground injury...

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      1. Bobby Digital
        10 months, 10 days ago

        Slot said it in the presser, that he has a small issue with his hamstring.

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  12. Bobby Digital
    10 months, 10 days ago

    OBrien or Mykolenko? Don't have cash for Tarko.

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    1. JBG
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Isn't Myko their only true LB? But OBrien seems to be better at defcons. Maybe Myko, just?

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    2. g40steve
      10 months, 10 days ago

      CS gone

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  13. Brosstan
    10 months, 10 days ago

    Where are my Timber def cons? People on here said they were imminent

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    1. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Game hasn't been updated today yet.

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      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        10 months, 10 days ago

        Yeah

        Van Hecke going back to 6

        An hour or so after Man City v Chelsea I think

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    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 10 days ago

      He only got 9

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  14. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 months, 10 days ago

    Harry Wilson's first goal today delayed by 15 minutes

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    1. The Philosopher
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Revival for mod!

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  15. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 months, 10 days ago

    Stach masterclass again. 4,5,4 last three games.

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    1. el polako
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Staching up those points nicely.

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      1. GreennRed
        10 months, 10 days ago

        The Bard of Poland 🙂

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        1. el polako
          10 months, 10 days ago

          Thank you, kind sir 🙂

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    2. thegaffer82
      10 months, 10 days ago

      It’s all great until Longstaff is back fully fit and Stach is no longer a guaranteed starter

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      1. BobbyDoesNotLook
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        10 months, 10 days ago

        That is true. However, that doesn't stop me enjoying this since it is about the only thing that can be enjoyed right now in FPL.

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  16. FDMS All Starz
    10 months, 10 days ago

    Is it safe to say Van Den Berg has lost his place in the starting XI?

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  17. Sandy Ravage
    10 months, 10 days ago

    Timber + Stach > Alderete + Rice incoming...

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  18. Under my Cucurella
    10 months, 10 days ago

    Ekitike to Watkins an obvious move?

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    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Not necessarily

      Think I'd rather wait for the Burnley game

      See how the cup matches play out too

      Take stock after Thursday?

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      1. Under my Cucurella
        10 months, 10 days ago

        I was thinking Wilson to Rogers but tempted by Ekitike to Watkins instead now. I would like Ekitike for the Burnley game but Ekitike fitness got me reconsidering

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        1. Under my Cucurella
          10 months, 10 days ago

          Wilson to Rogers also makes it harder for me to get to Gabriel after the Liverpool game

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  19. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 months, 10 days ago

    Wissa early chance

    Just inside the box

    Gordon pass

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  20. Ajax Hamsterdam
    10 months, 10 days ago

    do you think kroupi j will get some decent minutes v spurs?

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    1. Captain Mal
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Iraola clearly prefers Evanilson and Semenyo will probably play, so unlikely.

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      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        10 months, 10 days ago

        cheers captain.

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    2. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Think I might start him

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    3. Miguel Sanchez
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Probably bench again and pencilled in for a start in the Cup

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  21. The 12th Man
    10 months, 10 days ago

    H.Wilson, Ekitike > Rice,Bowen worth a -4?

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    1. Brosstan
      10 months, 10 days ago

      No. Bowen is not worth the money. West Ham looked ready for relegation last night.

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      1. The 12th Man
        10 months, 10 days ago

        Might as well go all the way down to Mane then and go 4-5-1

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    2. GreennRed
      10 months, 10 days ago

      No.

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    3. Sandy Ravage
      10 months, 10 days ago

      provided you can bench Bowen in difficult games for West Ham

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      1. keefy59
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        10 months, 10 days ago

        They've just lost to Wolves
        Going by that all games should be difficult for West Ham

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        1. Sandy Ravage
          10 months, 10 days ago

          You'd like to think that a motivated team facing a slumpting NFO at home will be an easier prospect than an improving Wolves away

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    4. RICICLE
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Yeah

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    5. g40steve
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Bowen was raging yesterday, he’s the gem amongst the turds & think he might be looking for an out.

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      1. x.jim.x
        10 months, 10 days ago

        Only another 4.5 years on his contract

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  22. thegaffer82
    10 months, 10 days ago

    First time finding out that Sky have a ‘Multiview’ for PL games.
    Game changer for me!

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    1. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Yes saves on buying multiple tv's !

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    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 10 days ago

      It's okay if you're not so bothered about one match

      Need to focus a bit

      I might switch to it for the second half

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    3. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Cheers, actually forgot about that option

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    4. GreennRed
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Doesnt go great on firestick 🙂

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    5. Utopsis
      10 months, 10 days ago

      They don't normally, because multiple simultaneous games are usually Saturday 3pm KO under TV embargo.

      We are getting a rare treat today!

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  23. F4L
    10 months, 10 days ago

    tark header cleared off the line 😥

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  24. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 months, 10 days ago

    Goal

    Brentford

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    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Thiago gets it

      Everton busted

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  25. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 months, 10 days ago

    Brentford goal...Thiago

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    1. Sgt. Schultz
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Janelt A

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    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Janelt with the assist

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  26. Sailboats
    10 months, 10 days ago

    Omg Thiago did it

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  27. The Philosopher
    10 months, 10 days ago

    Thiago. Never in doubt.

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    1. Utopsis
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Never ever. Composed finish too.

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  28. JBG
    10 months, 10 days ago

    Sorry long time Tarkowski owners...

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    1. THE Wild Rover
      10 months, 10 days ago

      First time for me too 🙄

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  29. sminkypinky
    10 months, 10 days ago

    Thiago get in!

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    1. sminkypinky
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Now a differential in my ml.

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  30. Kaneyonero
    10 months, 10 days ago

    Ofc it's Thiago

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    1. THE Wild Rover
      10 months, 10 days ago

      Well he was hardly never going to score again

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