Romelu Lukaku is the star performer on a day which saw Everton rout Southampton in their own backyard, inspired by the promptings of the mercurial Ross Barkley. Elsewhere, Harry Kane fails his armband audition as he is removed as a precaution on the hour-mark, leaving him to sit on the bench and watch Stephen Ireland orchestrate a Stoke comeback. Swansea march on, charged by the seemingly unstoppable raids of Jefferson Montero as Andre Ayew and Bafetimbi Gomis are again in profit. Leicester are another side to build on their Gameweek 1 achievements, as Riyad Mahrez gets in on the act once more – denying the best efforts of Dimitri Payet to snatch the points at Upton Park. Here’s the notes on Saturday’s showings…
Sorry Saints Dismantled by Everton
A bastion of defensive resolve in the early stages last season, Southampton looked decidedly vulnerable at the back during their 3-0 home defeat to Everton.
The loss of Toby Alderweireld, Nathaniel Clyne and Morgan Schneiderlin has been compounded by absence of Ryan Betrand (knee) and Steven Caulker (illness), diminishing the appeal of their rearguard assets. Nonetheless, the Saints’ upcoming trio of fixtures (wat, NOR, wba) should find Jose Fonte, Cedric Soares and Matt Targett owners keeping faith.
Despite failing to grace the scoresheet, Graziano Pelle fired off more attempts (seven) than any other striker so far this Gameweek. Sadio Mane, meanwhile, fashioned another three attempts at goal this Gameweek but will need to deliver attacking returns soon if he is to hold off sales in the light of emerging mid-price assets elsewhere.
Lukaku and Barkley Deal the Damage
Romelu Lukaku stole the headlines at St Mary’s Stadium with a superbly taken brace and a display bristling with pace and power.
Disregarded by most because of the Toffees’ gruelling early schedule, the Belgian frontman looks in fine fettle ahead of Manchester City’s visit Sunday. Notwithstanding his alluring 8.0 price tag, prospective buyers are still unlikely to loosen their purse strings before the Merseysiders negotiate an unforgiving trio of head-to-heads (MCI, tot, CHE).
Just two games into the new season, Ross Barkley (6.5) has already matched his goal haul (two) for the previous campaign. The twinkle-toed technician dovetailed effortlessly with Lukaku at the number ten berth and has clearly increased his goal threat from last term.
Aroune Kone (5.1) bagged the assist for Everton’s opener, having delivered a pinpoint cross on the break for Lukaku to arrow home. Now with one goal and two assists to his name, the Ivorian forward has shot onto our radars as a budget third striker option.
Seamus Coleman reminded us of his penchant for attacking returns with the assist for Barkley’s goal. An evil schedule renders the Irish defender a peripheral consideration for now, but he’s certainly one that requires monitoring in the coming weeks with Leighton Baines no longer an option in the Toffees rearguard.
Kane Blanks As Spurs Let Slip
Defensive frailties were brought to the fore once more as Spurs relinquished a two-goal lead. The north London club tallied an underwhelming nine clean sheets last term and will struggle to better that tally if they go on replicating Saturday’s capitulation.
Further forward, Harry Kane’s blank and withdrawal after 64 minutes will be of concern to his 37% ownership, after the England international was substituted through fatigue and cramp in his calf. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino later revealed that Kane is not yet fit enough to finish back-to-back matches, having undergone a shortened pre-season.
Priced at 7.0, Nacer Chadli underlined his differential potential with Spurs’ second strike of the afternoon. The Belgian winger faces fierce competition around his price point – with the likes of Dimitri Payet (7.5) and Andre Ayew (7.1) and Ross Barkley (6.5) also hitting some form – but a favourable clutch of upcoming fixtures (lei, EVE, sun, CRY) works to his advantage.
Eric Dier bagged the hosts’ opener from a Christian Eriksen corner and performed competently in the holding midfield role once agian. The 5.0-priced defender appears to have claimed a berth in the double pivot for the time being, presenting us with an out-of-position route into the Lilywhites’ back line.
Christian Eriksen continues to simmer – he almost complimented his assist with a goal but was thwarted on two occiasions by the in-form Jack Butland.
Ireland the Orchestrator for Potters
While new signing Xherdan Shaqiri (7.0) watched on from the stands, Stoke City staged a spirited second-half comeback courtesy of goals from Marko Arnautovic (6.0) and Mame Biram Diouf (6.5). With first-choice penalty taker Charlie Adam rooted to the bench, Arnautovic converted the spot-kick in emphatic fashion; the Austrian winger looked menacing throughout and certainly possesses the firepower to improve on the solitary goal he chalked up last season.
Diouf spurned two guilt-edge chances to grant Stoke the lead before nodding in the equaliser. That being said, his knack for creating space in the 18-yard box bodes well ahead of the Staffordshire outfit’s trip to Norwich and home clash against West Bromwich Albion.
Stephen Ireland’s introduction just before the hour-mark completely changed the complexion of the tie, with the Irish international’s sprightly passing injecting a fresh impetus into the visitors’ build-up play. It’s conceivable, then, that manager Mark Hughes will afford him a start next time out in place of Glenn Whelan or Marco van Ginkel. However with Shaqiri a factor and Bojan surely to be introduced once fully fit, the Potters lineup in attacking areas is far from certain.
Montero Sparkles As Swans March On
Bafetimbi Gomis and Andre Ayew replicated their Gameweek 1 exploits with a goal apiece in a 2-0 victory over the Magpies. Swansea’s early-season dominance is reflected by the fact no side has fashioned more attempts at goal (36) than Garry Monk’s outfit – although it’s worth noting that they’ve benefited from a one-man advantage for a fair portion of each encounter.
Gomis – who’s notched seven goals in his previous eight league appearances – occupies a price bracket with few other strong alternatives, ensuring that the French marksman will receive a significant boost on his 4.5% ownership. Gomis enjoyed a price rise to 7.1 overnight.
As for Ayew (7.1), the former Marseille winger has now netted five times in his last seven league outings, underlining his potential to be a breakthrough Fantasy asset.
While the above-mentioned duo garnered the lion’s share of the plaudits, Jonjo Shelvey and Jefferson Montero – who both carded assists – have enjoyed fine starts to the campaign. Coming in at 5.5 and 6.0, respectively, they’re emerging as enticing differentials ahead of a road tie against a floundering Sunderland side.
Hoolahan Inspires Norwich Away Day
Norwich remain unbeaten on the road under Alex Neil following their fine 3-1 win at Sunderland. Unlikely goals from Russell Martin and Steven Whittaker propelled them into the lead, before Nathan Redmond extended their advantage with his second strike in as many matches.
Redmond (5.5), who replaced Bradley Johnson on the Norwich team sheet, is emerging as a potential target: he has now scored in five of his last six matches for Norwich. However, he faces stiff competition in his price bracket given the form of Riyad Mahrez (5.6).
In addition, Wes Hoolahan (5.0) – who increased his assist tally to three with a brace of assists against the Black Cats – is also staking a claim as a potential fourth or fifth midfield option. Hoolahan was the architect of the Canaries victory, flitting between the lines to link play throughout.
John Ruddy’s 2.5% ownership were left exasperated as Norwich allowed Sunderland debutant Duncan Watmore to score two minutes from time. With home ties against Stoke and Bournemouth in the next three Gameweeks, though, a first clean sheet could be imminent.
Mahrez On the Mark Again
Riyad Mahrez (5.6) and Marc Albrighton (5.1) – who combined for the Foxes’ second goal – currently sit first and second in the total-score rankings following Leicester’s 2-1 victory at West Ham. The former is now one shy of his goal haul last season (four), while the latter needs just one more assist to equal his total (four) in the previous campaign. Although Fantasy managers will be wary of jumping on any bandwagons, the quality of Leicester’s upcoming schedule (TOT, bou, AVL) should trigger a wave of new owners. Mahrez was again the most transferred in asset overnight as his price creeps towards a second price rise.
Shinji Okazaki (6.0) netted his first top flight goal in Leicester colours, ensuring that Leonardo Ulloa was an unused substitute for the second week running. With Jamie Vardy – who scored last weekend – also coming in at 6.0, it remains to be seen which striker offers the best route into the Foxes’ vibrant forward line.
Payet Strike Not Enough for Hammers
Dimitri Payet (7.5) is certainly living up the high expectations placed on him in light of his remarkable attacking output last term (seven goals and 21 assists); the France international scored with one of three attempts at goal throughout the 90 minutes, with Cheikhou Koyate (5.5) serving up an assist to compliment his goal at Arsenal.
Man of the moment Reece Oxford was replaced by Pedro Obiang at half time. The 16-year-old defender piqued our interest by virtue of his deployment in midfield yet his early withdrawal suggests that experiment might’ve reached its conclusion, with Hammers boss Slaven Bilic later stating that the team’s passing improved in tempo when Oxford left the field.
Adrian’s straight red for serious foul play subsequently renders him unavailable for West Ham’s next three matches (BOU, liv, NEW). That’s particularly poor timing for his 7.4% ownership considering the favourable match-ups at the Boeyln Ground.
Layun Denied Hornets Shut-out
The Hornets remain unbeaten following their 0-0 stalemate with West Bromwich Albion but will feel disappointed not to have bagged all three points.
The newly promoted outfit racked up 16 shots to the visitors’ five, with Odion Ighalo (six) and Troy Deeney (four) both ranking in the top five for shots among forwards this Gameweek.
Miguel Layun – who’s classified as a defender – retained his starting berth on the right wing. However, manager Quique Sanchez Flores has now pulled him out of the action before the hour mark in both matches, starving the Mexican of four clean sheet points on this occasion.
The Hertfordshire club now embark on a testing trio of matches (SOU, mci, SWA) that should afford us a clearer indication of their competitiveness this season.
