Vincent Kompany receives a four-match ban after picking up his second straight red card of the season. Wayne Rooney bags a brace as United line up a visit to Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup, while James McClean continues to catch the eye of Fantasy managers, with his second goal in as many games:
Ramires
Having played wide right in the last week’s win at Wolves, the Brazilian returned to central midfield for the visit of Portsmouth. Ramires continued his goalscoring exploits, though, following up his strike at Molineux with a double as Chelsea chalked up a somewhat flattering 4-0 win. He also provided an assist for Frank Lampard’s fourth. With Daniel Sturridge still sidelined, Juan Mata took up the wide right role this time and grabbed his sixth domestic goal of the season- every one of them have come at the Bridge.
Wayne Rooney
Dimitar Berbatov didn’t even make the subs bench at the Etihad. The Bulgarian’s brief flirtation with the United first XI wasn’t helped by an insipid display at Newcastle in midweek and Rooney, paired with Danny Welbeck, returned to goalscoring ways with a double in the 3-2 win. That’s 6 goals in his last five starts for the United man and with home clashes against Bolton and Stoke in two of the next three gameweeks, Rooney will surely tempt plenty Fantasy managers to hand him the armband for those games as he threatens to return to the consistency of early season.
Paul Scholes
Although United have been struggling for midfield consistency of late, Scholes’ decision to come out of retirement arguably overshadowed the match itself. A major surprise, given he admitted he felt his legs were gone last season but the only significant aspect of his second half sub appearance was his loss of possession that led to City’s second.
Antonio Valencia
The return of Chris Smalling from tonsillitis allowed Valencia the chance to move back into the midfield once again. Having covered at right-back due to United’s on-going injury worries, his threat has been somewhat nullified but Valencia made an immediate impact back in his favoured position, crossing for Rooney to fire the visitors ahead within the ten minute mark. With Jonny Evans recovered and on the bench, it seems Sir Alex Ferguson’s injury worries are easing up, meaning Valencia can be utilised as an attacking talent by the champions once again.
Sergio Aguero
Another home game, another goal for the Argentine as City battled valiantly to save their cup aspirations. Aguero continues his remarkable streak of form at the Etihad- a look at his FPL stats shows he has returned 10 goals, 4 assists and 14 bonus points at home, compared to 4 goals, 1 assist and 3 bonus points on his travels. With Fulham, Blackburn and Bolton visiting City in three of their next four home games, Aguero offers strong opposition to Robin Van Persie for the armband with those fixtures.
Vincent Kompany
The City skipper now faces a four-match ban after picking up his second red card of the season. Kompany received his marching orders with a mere eleven minutes on the board for a two-footed tackle on Nani and will now miss the upcoming league clashes with Wigan and Spurs, in addition to both the club’s Carling Cup semi-final legs against Liverpool. Roberto Mancini admitted post-match that City will appeal, but if the ban stands, it gives Kompany’s Fantasy owners something of a quandary- currently at 6.6, do they hold on until he is next available on 1st February or move him on with their winter wildcards?
Stephane Sessegnon
Having mainly been deployed in a role just off the main forward by both his managers over the season, Sessegnon led the line for Sunderland at Peterborough yesterday. Nicklas Bendtner was nowhere to be seen but despite three recognised forwards on the bench, O’Neill still preferred Sessegnon as his main striker in a 4-5-1. He may have failed to play a part in any of his side’s two goals but O’Neill’s lineup continues to promote the Benin international as a strong out-of-position contender over the months ahead.
James McClean
The Irishman seems to have the backing of O’Neill and once again vindicated his manager’s faith, playing a prominent role in the Black Cats win. Despite the return of Seb Larsson, McClean kept his place in the first XI, with Kieran Richardson handed a role in central midfield. McClean had already caught the eye of Fantasy managers in his previous two league games, picking up maximum bonus both times and netting in the 4-1 win over Wigan. He continued his goalscoring ways yesterday, notching Sunderland’s second, in addition to picking up an assist for Larsson’s free-kick opener. At 4.5, he’s starting to attract investment and if he continues his recent form, could prove an absolute bargain in the second half of the season.
