United crush City at Old Trafford to earn bragging rights in the Manchester derby. Midfield trio Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata are all in the points, whilst Sergio Aguero returns to form with a brace for the beaten champions. Elsewhere, a late winner from Cesc Fabregas strengthens Chelsea’s grip on the title at neighbours QPR.
United midfield continue revival
Manchester United recovered from an early salvo from their arch rivals to run out 4-2 winners at Old Trafford. Juan Mata, Ashley Young and Marouane Fellaini built on their recent starring performances – grabbing a goal apiece – while Chris Smalling also registered against the Sky Blues. Despite not gracing the scoresheet, Wayne Rooney supplied the assist for Mata’s effort, marking the third occasion in the last four Gameweeks that the English striker has produced attacking returns.
Since being handed a run of five starts by manager Louis van Gaal, Fellaini (6.4) has notched two goals and an assist in four outings. Similarly, the Red Devils have profited from Mata’s (8.4) return to the fold, with three goals in as many starts for the Spanish playmaker. The 4.9-priced Young posted the second-highest points haul (14) of any player besides Yannick Bolasie (24) so far this Gameweek – by virtue of a pair of assists and United’s equaliser, his second strike in the last five. In light of United’s attacking verve of late (12 goals in last four), and a trio of agreeable fixtures (eve, WBA, cry) beyond a meeting with Chelsea on Saturday, the midfielders represent enticing alternatives across the price brackets.
In a worrying development for United supporters, Michael Carrick limped off the field after Van Gaal had use all his substitutes – forcing Rooney to drop back into the holding midfield role. It’s no coincidence that the Red Devils upturn in form coincided with Carrick’s reinstatement for their 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, with two comprehensive victories against Liverpool and City in their subsequent match-ups. Carrick’s potential absence could work to the favour of managers who’ve invested in Chelsea’s squad, given that the clubs lock horns at Stamford Bridge next Gameweek.
Aguero brace signals return to form
Sergio Aguero netted for the first time in six outings, recording an ultimately futile brace against the red side of Manchester. The Argentine rewarded those managers that invested faith in the face of a 12-match spell that only harvested three goals. Now, having rediscovered his scoring touch, Aguero looks well placed to generate some momentum in a trio of favourable home ties in the Sky Blues’ upcoming schedule (WHU, AVL, tot, QPR). Furthermore, Fantasy managers that intended to replace Aguero with Daniel Sturridge after Liverpool’s blank in preparation for their double now have food for thought, given that the ex-Atletico Madrid marksman threatens to cash in against Aston villa at the Etihad Stadium.
David Silva bagged his first assist since Gameweek 26 but failed to produce a single attempt and managed just three touches within United’s penalty area – a product of City only enjoying 42% possession at Old Trafford. Home ties against West Ham and Villa should allow Silva to greater exert his influence and discourage his 25% ownership from exploring other options just yet.
Manager Manuel Pellegirni named two changes from their 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace last Gameweek, with Pablo Zabaleta replacing Bacary Sagna at right-back and James Milner coming in for Edin Dzeko – prompting a shift from a 4-4-2 to a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Milner designated to man-mark United’s chief orchestrator Michael Carrick.
Fabregas crushes R’s spirits with late strike
Chelsea emerged 1-0 winners over Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road courtesy of a goal from Cesc Fabregas two minutes from time. The 9.2-priced midfielder delivered attacking returns for the third match in succession, after bagging an assist in each of the last two Gameweeks.
Fabregas’ return to form is timely given Jose Mourinho’s men are gearing up for a Gameweek 34 double, which consists of trips to Arsenal and Leicester. With Eden Hazard – who tallied his ninth assist of the season against the R’s – and one of Branislav Ivanovic/John Terry representing obvious sources of Chelsea coverage for their back-to-back road matches, Fabregas is a strong candidate for that third route into the league leader’s squad. It’s worth noting that both Fabregas and Nemanja Matic avoided a tenth booking of the season yesterday and are no longer one caution away from a ban- with the deadline now extended, players need to collect 15 cards before falling foul of suspension.
Chelsea named two changes from the XI that triumphed over Stoke City last weekend, with Didier Drogba spearheading the attack in Loic Remy’s absence and Ramires replacing Oscar in midfield – the industrious Brazilian partnered Nemanja Matic in the double pivot, while Fabregas assumed the No. 10 role.
Loic Remy wasn’t included in the matchday squad at Loftus Road having picked up a muscular strain in training, although Mourinho did reveal he expects him to available for the next match. With concerns already surrounding Remy’s minutes for the Blues’ double fixtures – in light of Drogba’s availability and Diego Costa’s potential recovery from a hamstring complaint – a fresh knock for the Frenchman heightens the risk for potential investors.
In the Hoops camp, boss Chris Ramsey made just one alteration to his side, drafting in Karl Henry for Niko Kranjcar on the right flank. The R’s now sit out Gameweek 33 before embarking on an unforgiving trio of matches (WHU, liv, mci). As such, many Charlie Austin owners will surely be looking to part company and free up a forward berth with a view to bolstering their double Gameweek squads, regardless of the fact he’s notched two goals in three starts.
