Anthony Martial nets twice, whilst Juan Mata gets amongst the goals as United win at Southampton. Graziano Pelle also bags a brace and Sadio Mane serves up a pair of assists for the Saints. Elsewhere, Heung-min Son scores Spurs’ winner against Palace, whilst Liverpool and Norwich share the Anfield spoils.
Martial at the Double
Manchester United scored with all three of their shots on target as they recorded a 3-2 win over Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium. Anthony Martial was the hero of the piece, complementing his debut goal against Liverpool with a brace on his first league start for the Red Devils.
The summer signing – who capitalised on some sloppy defending from the Saints – offers a tantalising route into Louis van Gaal’s attack this term. With Wayne Rooney dropping back into the number-ten berth, Martial serves as United’s foremost goal threat, yet a tough run of fixtures (ars, eve, MCI, cry) beyond a home tie against Sunderland next Gameweek might encourage prospective owners to sit tight for the time being. Nonetheless, over 210,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have already snapped him up since the weekend deadline, with his price rising from 8.0 to 8.1 overnight.
Juan Mata slotted home the visitors’ third goal and his second strike of the campaign. With two goals and a pair of assists to his name, the Spain international has delivered attacking returns in four of his six starts, rendering him a strong option in the mid-priced bracket. Memphis Depay broke his Premier League duck with an assist against the south-coast club but will need to start converting his chances to warrant investment at 8.3.
Having started the campaign with three consecutive clean sheets, United have now conceded five goals in their last three outings, raising doubts over their shut-out prospects during the above-mentioned stretch. Matteo Darmian – a mainstay at right-back up till this point – was replaced by Antonio Valencia at the break, with Louis van Gaal taking the view that Italian afforded Dusan Tadic too much freedom on that side of the pitch:
“Because he gave too much space to Tadic in my opinion, so that’s why I brought on Valencia. I didn’t see Tadic in the second half, did you?”
Pelle Brace Not Enough for Saints
Graziano Pelle scored in either half, but Southampton were ultimately undone by their own mistakes. The Italian frontman proved to be a thorn in United’s side throughout the 90 minutes, ranking joint-top for attempts (six) among forwards this Gameweek. Of Pelle’s last 16 league goals, 14 of them have arrived at home – revealing a clear bias in his scoring habits. Considering that Southampton enjoy an excellent run of home fixtures over the next couple of months (SWA, LEI, BOU, STO, AVL), the 42,000 Fantasy managers that shipped Pelle out prior to Gameweek 6 may live to further regret their decision.
Sadio Mane carded a brace of assists for the second time in three matches, meaning he’s already matched his entire assist output (four) from the previous campaign. Priced at 7.8, Mane has been involved in over half of Saints’ seven goals this term, underlining his importance to their attack. The Senegalese wide man now sits at just 3.7% ownership, making him a differential candidate over the coming weeks.
Budget defender Matt Targett was subbed off at the break, with Cuco Martina slotting in at left-back. Ryan Bertrand’s imminent return from a knee injury offers further incentive for Targett’s 10% ownership to plan for his inevitable benching. Ronald Koeman’s decision to start with Maya Yoshida over Cedric Soares at right-back for the first time this term also raises questions over the latter’s security of starts.
Son Form Continues
Heung-min Son netted the only goal of the match against Crystal Palace, adding to the brace he recorded in Spurs’ midweek Europa League clash. Despite operating from the right flank, Son is classified as a forward in the Fantasy Premier League, diminishing his appeal in the FPL game, with Harry Kane nailed-on as the lone striker. Nonetheless, if Tottenham’s fluidity in attack finds the South Korean international profiting from advanced positions, he could certainly emerge as a viable alternative to the out-of-form Kane, in spite of his starting role out wide.
Christian Eriksen made his return from injury at the 66-minute mark and went on to assist Son’s debut league goal two minutes later. The Danish playmaker’s reinstatement heightens competition in the attacking midfield slots, given that Mauricio Pochettino also has the likes of Erik Lamela, Clinton N’Jie, Ryan Mason, Andros Townsend and Delle Alli as options, along with Son and Nacer Chadli.
The early signs this season suggest that Pochettino has discovered a better balance between attack and defence, considering that his troops have secured three clean sheets on the trot. Only Manchester City (four) have conceded fewer goals (two) than the Lilywhites, yet that could all change when the two sides meet at White Hart Lane next Gameweek – the Sky Blues have rattled 16 goals past Spurs in their previous four match-ups.
Another Blank from Palace
Yohan Cabaye clattered the upright with a rasping strike but Palace were unable to breach Tottenham’s resolute rearguard. The Eagles have failed to net in the two matches that Connor Wickham’s sat out through injury, with Yannick Bolasie occupying the lone-striker berth in his stead. Frazier Campbell earned a run-out up top in the second period – shifting Bolasie onto the left flank – but he mustered a solitary off-target shot in his 50-minute stint.
In spite of Palace’s recent blanks, their attacking contingent will be assessed in detail ahead of a strong quartet of fixtures (wat, WBA, WHU, lei). Bakary Sako (5.6) has certainly offered the greatest threat, given that he’s tallied two goals and one assist across just four starts for the London outfit. Furthermore, he’s currently ranked joint-top – alongside Riyad Mahrez – among midfielders for shots on target (ten).
Rodgers Rings the Changes
Having come on for the injured Christian Benteke – who suffered tightness in his hamstring – at half time, Danny Ings netted Liverpool’s only goal in a 1-1 home draw against Norwich City. The former Burnley marksman could be set for a run in the side if Benteke is sidelined for any length of time, given that Brendan Rodgers reverted to a 3-4-1-2 for the Canaries visit, handing fit-again Daniel Sturridge his first start of the campaign in a two-man strike force.
The Reds’ switch to a wing-back formation saw the more attack-minded Alberto Moreno replace the heavily-backed Joe Gomez, whilst Dejan Lovren also dropped out of the XI for the first time this term. Moreno then bolstered his case to retain a starting berth with the assist (an accurate lofted through ball) for Ings’ goal. Gomez’ substantial 20% ownership will likely be planning an exit route in light of the threat of rotation.
Philippe Coutinho chalked up a whopping 10 shots against Alex Neil’s men but found the target with just two of these efforts. Much to the consternation of his 15% ownership, the Brazil international spurned a glorious one-on-one opportunity, hitting a tame shot straight at John Ruddy. Few Fantasy managers will be looking to part company, however, given that the Merseysiders face a home tie against Aston Villa next time out.
Martin Strikes Again for Canaries
Russell Martin became the top-scoring defender in the league with his third goal of the campaign. Priced at 4.5, the Norwich centre-back is excelling on the attacking front, but the fear for new owners will be whether he’s already experienced his purple patch – indeed, Martin has netted with three of his four attempts this season.
Wes Hoolahan recorded a goal and an assist last time out against Bournemouth but was omitted from the starting XI at Anfield in favour of Graham Dorrans. Neil previously stated that he intends to manage the 33-year-old’s playing time, yet his willingness to drop Hoolahan following an impactful performance throws up red flags for his 3.5% ownership. Neil later explained that he felt the nature of the encounter suited Dorrans’ game better, though he will need to reshuffle his midfield again next weekend, given that on-loan Matt Jarvis cannot face parent club West Ham.
