Scout Notes – Lukaku Does Enough

A goal for a popular Man United asset proves vital for many, while Jamie Vardy’s fine form continues and Newcastle’s new-found defensive solidity keeps their survival bid on track.

Romelu Lukaku’s early goal in Man United’s 2-0 win over Swansea City helped ease the doubts of those brave enough to switch captaincy trains from Mohamed Salah to the Belgian.

The striker was the top transfer target of Gameweek 32, bought by 444,000+ and he was second only to the Liverpool phenomenon when it came to the armband, with 13.4% of all Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers hoping for a haul.

That they got, with a pair of bonus points taking Lukaku to eight points on the day – one better than the Egyptian.

Job done, then, and his fine form – four goals and two assists from his last six Gameweeks – bodes well with West Brom at home and Bournemouth away to come in Double Gameweek 34.

There is, of course, the small matter of a Manchester derby at the Etihad to come before that, but key United assets will at least turn up for City’s potential coronation in good nick.

Alexis Sanchez’s goal and assist equalled his output from his previous six Gameweeks since arriving at United, although only 2.8% enjoyed the 14 points (including maximum bonus) that he brought in.

Jesse Lingard was another to shine, building on his solid international form to produce an assist. He also out-shot the returning Paul Pogba four to one, with the Frenchman failing to register a single touch in the penalty area as his attacking threat continues to be compromised by Jose Mourinho’s tactical demands.

Interest in the 11.5-priced Sanchez and the out-of-sorts Pogba has been practically non-existent as managers have instead turned to United’s backline for the promise of points.

Chris Smalling was acquired by 76,000 – the most of any defender – and he started for the ninth successive Gameweek.

Victor Linedolf was his surprise partner at centre-half as Eric Bailly dropped to the bench, which was a blow to the 19,000+ who had brought him in for Gameweek 32.

The Ivorian has made way unexpectedly before, although the full 180 minutes on international duty could have been a major factor in Mourinho’s decision yesterday.

At least the ever-reliable David De Gea produced for his 44.2% ownership as United notched their 16th clean sheet of the season, albeit the first since Gameweek 26.

City away next is unlikely to deliver any more than save points, however, with interest in United players on hold until the first of two Double Gameweeks to come.

Having said that, Lukaku is currently the third most popular transfer target ahead of next weekend’s derby and enjoyed another price rise overnight.

Vardy shines, Murray melts

Five goals in his previous six Gameweeks persuaded 94,000+ managers to invest in Brighton striker Glenn Murray for the visit of Leicester City.

He was certainly a busy boy, firing in four shots on the day, but his second penalty miss of the season could yet prove crucial in the Seagulls’ quest for Premier League safety, and it burned his 7.0% ownership, who were left with a zero-point return.

On the plus side, it does at least keep Chris Hughton’s men highly motivated for their Double Gameweek 34 (cry TOT), with a huge home match against Huddersfield preceding that.

Defensive prospects remain minimal, however.

Some 66,000+ managers moved for one of Mat Ryan, Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy for Gameweek 32, but Brighton failed to keep a clean sheet for a tenth successive league match.

Jamie Vardy was partially responsible for that, adding Leicester’s second following Murray’s spot-kick miss to confirm the wisdom of the 222,000 who made him the Gameweek’s third most popular purchase.

Vardy has now scored in six of the last eight Gameweeks and currently tops the transfers-in table for next weekend with Newcastle the visitors to the King Power Stadium.

The 168,000 who made Riyad Mahrez Gameweek 32’s fifth most bought player suffered a rare blank, however.

Demarai Gray came on for Marc Albrighton and provided a late assist in an 11-minute cameo that pushed the claims of the 5.3-priced midfielder, while Vicente Iborra made it back-to-back goals having managed just one minute of action in the previous eight Gameweeks.

A first clean sheet in seven for the backline was good news for the 12.4% who have made Harry Maguire by far the Foxes’ most owned defender.

But he was overshadowed by Kasper Schmeichel, who delivered 15 points thanks to his second penalty save of the season, and by Ben Chilwell, whose assist and maximum bonus delivered his first double-digit return of the campaign.

Significantly, Maguire also picked up his ninth booking of the season and must now navigate past Gameweek 33 without a yellow card or he will miss both Leicester’s Double Gameweek fixtures. After Gameweek 33 – when teams have played 32 matches, the threshold for bookings shifts to 15 cards.

The visit from the Magpies, and Burnley (away) and Southampton at home in Double Gameweek 34, promise more clean sheet points to come, although the defence will have to do without the shield provided by Wilfred Ndidi.

The combative midfielder was sent off for two yellow cards yesterday and will miss the next two matches as it was his second dismissal of the season.

Magpies move on up

A third win in five Gameweeks edged Newcastle ever closer to Premier League safety as the Magpies saw off a spirited but limited Huddersfield 1-0.

Rafa’s Benitez’s renaissance men have relied on resilience at home to see them through – yesterday’s win was their third straight clean sheet in front of their own fans, and they’ve now conceded just two goals in their last six matches at St James’ Park.

Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka (0.5%) is yet to concede in three home appearances, while fellow loan signing Kenedy (2.0%) continues to impress further up the pitch.

The Brazilian set up Ayoze Perez’s winner yesterday and now has two goals and as many assists from his seven starts since arriving from Chelsea.

Dwight Gayle’s 1.3% ownership endured a frustrating day, however.

The striker spurned two big chances to score on an afternoon when his Gameweek-leading six shots on goal produced only two points.

A Double Gameweek yet to be confirmed should keep Newcastle’s assets on our radars, although the immediate schedule (lei ARS) is not so promising.

As for Huddersfield, a four-match run of three defeats and a draw with no goals scored looks particularly ill-timed, with their next two fixtures (bha WAT) likely to prove crucial in their own bid for top-flight survival.

The Terriers may also have lost winger Elias Kachunga for another spell, with head coach David Wagner offering a pessimistic prognosis on his latest setback which saw him withdrawn on 55 minutes.

“He has an ankle injury that will keep him out for a few weeks now. It has already swollen; we will have to see”