Continuing the Gameweek 26 Scout Notes is a look at notable Fantasy Premier League (FPL) events from the London Stadium, as a certain Manchester United supporter’s hair will remain uncut.
- READ MORE: FPL notes – Another Palmer pen, Cucurella injury + why Calvert-Lewin missed out
- READ MORE: Tuesday’s goals, assists, bonus + DefCon points
A few talking points emerged for FPL managers on an unproductive night for Bruno Fernandes (£9.8m)
BLANK FOR FERNANDES
Before last night, Fernandes’ previous 12 outings (lasting more than 45 minutes) had brought in a stunning 15 attacking returns and 100 FPL points, averaging 8.33 of the latter per match. Five of the latest seven ended with a double-digit haul.
However, nothing landed at the London Stadium, despite creating four chances. The Portuguese playmaker’s clever corner preceded a Luke Shaw (£4.5m) shot that was cleared off the line, and his stoppage-time cross set up a ‘big’ Joshua Zirkzee (£5.8m) effort.
Above: Bruno Fernandes’ four chance creations, shown by Statsbomb
Yet neither he nor Matheus Cunha (£8.1m) recorded any attempts.
Not only that, but the sole player to receive a defensive contribution (DefCon) reward was similarly named Mateus Fernandes (£5.5m). Once again, Bruno was quite far away.
TIME FOR A SESKO START?
At least Bryan Mbeumo’s (£8.6m) owners were able to grab a late assist.
Doesn’t it feel like every match these days has a stoppage-time goal or two? Both these sides are often contributing to the abnormality, as substitute Benjamin Sesko (£7.2m) repeated his late Gameweek 24 strike by converting Mbeumo’s 96th-minute cross.
Signed in the summer for around £74m, the Slovenian hasn’t started any of Michael Carrick’s five league games in charge, but the one beforehand saw him score a brace.
Rescuing Man United once more, perhaps it’s time for Carrick to start Sesko.
“Ben [Sesko] is doing a lot of work, he is in a really good place and he is ready to kick on. It’s managing the balance. We could have changed things earlier, but when he came on he made a big difference.” – Michael Carrick
WEST HAM LOOK GOOD
Meanwhile, a resurgent West Ham have three victories from five, where the others involved this Sesko equaliser, and their 2-0 lead at Chelsea ending in defeat. Completed in added-on time, of course.
But a slight confidence is building. Maybe relegation can be escaped. They’re currently two points off safety, but whatever Nottingham Forest do tonight, the Hammers are at least fighting to survive.
Crysencio Summerville’s (£5.6m) early shot almost had him score for a fifth successive time. Then, in the 50th-minute, Jarrod Bowen (£7.6m) secured a fourth return in four by setting up a Tomas Soucek (£5.7m) near-post tap-in.
Summerville and Bowen are worth considering for West Ham’s next fixtures, if they can be rotated out of your Fantasy lineup when facing Liverpool and Manchester City.
NUNO ON PABLO’S ABSENCE
One attacker completely missing on Tuesday night was January signing Pablo Felipe (£5.5m). The 22-year-old is yet to score or assist for West Ham, but his arrival coincided with the club’s upturn in form.
Speaking post-match, Nuno Espirito Santo confirmed there’s a problem.
“Yeah, he’s the injury that we have. Unfortunately, he’s going to be out. That’s a blow for us.” – Nuno Espirito Santo
