Scout Notes

Aguero goal and another clean sheet inches City closer to the title

Manchester City recorded their 12th league victory in a row on Sunday to move back above Liverpool to the top of the Premier League table.

A draw or better for Jurgen Klopp’s side at Newcastle next weekend will take the title race to the final match of the season and ensures Fantasy assets from Liverpool and City will have something to play for in Gameweek 38 – something FPL managers surely want in order to all-but-eliminate the risk of rotation or an “on the beach” mindset on May 12th.

City owe a debt of gratitude to goalline technology for their latest win, with Sergio Aguero‘s 62nd-minute strike crossing the line by little over one inch.

We reflect on the events of the game at Turf Moor in our Scout Notes article below.

Burnley 0-1 Manchester City

  • Goal: Sergio Aguero (£11.9m)
  • Assist: None

After two hard-fought victories in Double Gameweek 35, Manchester City were again made to graft for three points at Burnley on Sunday.

Recent games against Spurs and Manchester United were huge tests of City’s patience and ability to break down resilient defences and this was another big examination of their attacking credentials in Lancashire.

The Clarets may sit 15th in the Premier League table but this is not the porous Burnley side of the first half of 2018/19.

Coming into this match, Burnley had conceded the fewest “big chances” of any Premier League side when filtered by last six home matches.

Sean Dyche again named two strikers in his starting XI for the visit of Pep Guardiola’s side but the Burnley manager’s intent was obvious from the off, with two banks of four sitting behind the ball and Ashley Barnes (£5.6m) and Chris Wood (£6.3m) hustling the visitors when in possession.

The Clarets were successful in their first-half endeavours, frustrating an under-par City and limiting Guardiola’s side to two shots on target – both of which were tame efforts comfortably dealt with by Tom Heaton (£4.8m).

Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) and Leroy Sane (£9.3m) disappointed on the flanks, with David Silva‘s (£8.5m) blocked effort and Sergio Aguero‘s (£11.9m) curling shot wide as close as City came to breaking the deadlock before the interval.

Burnley blocked 15 of City’s 25 shots (above).

Indeed, Wood arguably had the best chance of the first half – the Burnley striker, as he had done at Stamford Bridge last Monday, miscontrolling when clean through on goal.

The inevitable second-half onslaught ultimately proved too much for the stubborn Burnley backline but the game was settled by the buzz of referee Paul Tierney’s watch – Matthew Lowton (£4.6m) unable to prevent Aguero’s match-winning strike from crossing the goalline by a matter of centimetres.

Aguero had perhaps looked the likeliest to break the deadlock, having narrowly failed to capitalise on chances created by Ederson (£5.7m) and Ilkay Gundogan (£5.5m) in the first half before going on to pepper Heaton’s goal with eight shots after the break.

No player on show had more penalty box touches or efforts on goal than Aguero, who kickstarted City’s second-half siege by forcing Heaton into a near-post save just after half-time.

Pep Guardiola paid tribute to the Argentinean striker, who averages more FPL points per game than any forward this season:

He is a legend. He does that all the time, he scores important goals all the time, he is an incredible player.

Aguero was more of a threat than Sane or Sterling, with the German producing an underwhelming performance on the left flank before being withdrawn just after the hour mark.

Sterling was perhaps as anonymous as he has been all season in the opening 45 minutes but flickered into life after the break, working hard for his side and seeing two goalbound shots of his own blocked.

Bernardo was moved back into central midfield as a result of Fernandinho‘s (£5.3m) injury-related absence but the deeper position did little to minimise his goal threat, with the Portuguese playmaker creating more chances than anyone on show and trumping Sane and Sterling for penalty box touches and efforts on goal.

Bernardo was unlucky not to register an assist for City’s winning goal, too, with Aguero deemed to have had a blocked shot from Bernardo’s pass before following up to stab in the rebound.

City’s incredible run of clean sheets continued as they banked their 11th shut-out in 15 league games.

Burnley didn’t record a single shot on target throughout and had only eight touches in the City area – as many as Bernardo managed by himself in the Clarets’ box.

Some impressive defensive statistics are underpinning these clean sheets, with City having conceded fewer goals, shots on target, efforts in the box and big chances than any team in the last 15 Gameweeks.

Guardiola praised his troops for not allowing Burnley many free-kicks and corners, depriving the Clarets of perhaps their easiest route to a goal.

The City manager said:

We knew we just need to go forward, don’t make fouls and concede as little as possible the fouls and corners.

We didn’t concede one shot on target or one corner, we are a small team but we are smart, in the first half the pitch was so dry and it was slow but in the second half we knew we had to score our goal.

We controlled the long ball and we had chances to score the second goal – in the last minutes, anything can happen, always it is difficult if you cannot close the game.

Aymeric Laporte (£6.2m) and Kyle Walker (£6.4m) both supplemented their clean sheets with maximum bonus.

Sean Dyche said his side had deliberately made life “awkward” for City and hailed the display of his defenders, who had also excelled in the second half at Stamford Bridge last Monday.

The Burnley boss said:

I thought we had a real go and that was pleasing from a mentality point of view, because, obviously, when we get factually safe, people will wonder how will that affect the performance. But I thought we took the game on against a top side, very technical side.

We’re not going to beat them at their game, so we had to make it awkward, almost a cup tie feel, when the game feels completely different, and I thought we did that well.

We didn’t find the effectiveness in the front third, which is difficult against these sides, but we had the big moment with Woody in the first half, and we’ve kept at it, defended fantastically well, and you end up close to getting something from the game.

Ben Mee (£4.6m) and James Tarkowski (£4.7m) made 24 clearances, blocks and interceptions (CBIs) between them, with Mee coming in for particular praise from his manager:

He was excellent. After a tough start for everyone, I think, this season, a bit of confusion, cloudy minds – I still haven’t quite worked it out, because there were so many different things needs altering – but he’s been first class, since the turn.

He was terrific against Chelsea and excellent today, Tarky as well, Lowts, a lot of good performances defensively, but finding that balance in those games is tough.

Burnley have conceded only four goals in their last five matches despite facing attacking teams such as Wolves, Bournemouth, Chelsea and City, so could very well make life difficult for Everton and Arsenal in Gameweeks 37 and 38.

Robbie Brady (£5.4m) missed out as his partner is due to give birth but Phil Bardsley (£4.2m) still wasn’t fit to feature, with Dyche saying:

He got the last couple of days in but we didn’t want to make a decision on that. We have let that one go until next week.

Burnley XI (4-4-2): Heaton; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Hendrick (Gudmundsson 76′), Westwood, Cork, McNeil, Barnes, Wood (Vydra 72′).

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson, Walker, Kompany, Laporte, Zinchenko; Bernardo Silva, Gundogan, Silva; Sterling (Otamendi 90+2′), Aguero (Stones 83′), Sane (Gabriel Jesus 64′).

1,314 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Klein
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Just saw milner snatching ball from salah when he wanted to take the penalty. Whats with milner? He is going for golden boot. Might have given him easily.

    1. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Doesn't quite trust Salah on the spot.
      Team win is priority, not individual honours.

      Maybe if score was settled, he'd give him.

      1. Klein
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Fair point

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      the game was not over, so designated taker going for it made sense. team over individual.

      1. Klein
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Didnt know about that. Good point

    3. MafioSol
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I'm starting to get weary of Salah's attitude and his selfishness of late. Game in the balance, designated player on the pitch, no debate whether (or not) Milner should take the penalty. I remember Milner graciously giving him a penalty last season. Check yo self Salah.

  2. fenixri
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    1Ft 0.4 itb

    What to do here?

    Foster Ryan
    Kola Taa Duffy Doherty Valery
    Salah Sterling Eriksen Son Deulofeu
    Firmino Jimenez Long

    1. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Duffy to Shaw?

  3. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Play one from:

    A) AWB (car)
    B) Brooks (TOT)
    C) Deeney (che)

    Ta

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A

    2. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A

    3. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A

  4. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Vardy owner, keeping him for sure?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Was always planning to sell him this GW. Seems harsh (foolish) but think I will stick with it and do Son and Vardy to Hazard (c) and Rashford/Wilson with 2FTs.

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        I’m going Son and Vardy to Hazard Wilson

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Can you afford Rash over Wilson and would you if you could?

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            No but still wouldn’t. I fancy Wilson to get one more biggie - probably against Palace.

      2. MafioSol
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        But Hazard away to Leicester gw38. I don't think he'll do well. Vardy can score anytime as recently proven.

    2. Klein
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Selling surely. Dont think he will be involved much vs city. Rashford or kun is my problem.

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Not here

      I’m fixated by Haz and he’s really the only way in. A planned move even when I reckoned Vardy would haul against Arsenal.

      Still feels really tricky

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Same here. Hazard (c) to go out with a bang against Watford in his last ever home game for Chelsea. Or one last troll... either way it feels right.

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Yep

          And well Hazard has a much higher ceiling this week and I’m looking to go out with a bang too

    4. Doolittle
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Tough to sell now but I'm sticking with the plan and ditching I think.

  5. Klein
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    People preferring kun to sterling? Pen duties is one positive point. But sterling gets to the right spots. What are your thoughts?

    1. FPLGeezer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Agree think Sterling has a haul left in him and Pep will start him in both

    2. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I have & will keep both, but will triple captain one this GW & am leaning heavily towards Kun. Reasons are his home record & my FPL history with him.

    3. MafioSol
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Dare I say it Sterling is the more all round, mobile, dangerous and decisive player.

  6. barracuda
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Lukaku anyone?

    1. Klein
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Would love to have him but is he nailed?

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Prefer Rash if fit.

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      expensive punt but if you can afford, then worth a shot

    4. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Would involve Salah to B Silva and a hit

  7. FPLGeezer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Better option for last two games Pogba or Hazard?

    1. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Haz

  8. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Which one please?
    1-Eriksen-Gray > Pogba-Zaha
    2-Eriksen-Gray > Bilva-Rashford
    3-Eriksen-Duffy > Pogba- Shaw
    4-Eriksen-Duffy > Pogba-PVA

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      2 if any

    2. Richd
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      1!

  9. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Foster
    Vertonghen TAA Doherty
    Jota Son Mane Sterling
    Aguero Jimenez Firmino

    Subs: Ryan JWP Duffy Dunk

    0.1ITB 1 FT. Any changes?

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Son to Salah
      Firmino to Long

      Wait until Thursday or fri though

      1. Fernando Torres
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Not sure I want to get rid of Son.

      2. Fernando Torres
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        All my rivals have Laca and I'm ahead. Was considering blocking them

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          They'll probably be getting rid of him though

  10. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    A) Son + Firmino (current)
    B) Hazard + Wilson (-4)
    C) Salah + Long (-4)
    D) Son + Laca

    All my rivals have Son, Laca and Wilson. One has Hazard too.

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Firmi-no

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        him,Gru/Higuan have been as disaster for me
        lol

  11. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    If he misses Wednesday I'm getting rid, won't hang on to a 9.3M injury doubt at this point of the season.

    1. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Reply fail

  12. The Special Wan
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    I have Jimenez and Dockerty which I don't need gw38, which Soton player is the best option ( money no issue and already have Valery & Yoshida.
    A) Jimenez > Ings
    B) Jimenez > Long
    C) Dockerty > Yoshida
    C) Dockerty > Bertrand

    1. Doolittle
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I'd keep, Wolves have been excellent against top 6 sides.

    2. The Special Wan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      * already have Valery & Redmond

  13. Doolittle
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Vardy & Son -> Zaha & Sterling?

    Lloris
    Laporte/TAA/Doherty
    Eriksen/Son/Mane/Jota
    Aguero/Vardy/Jimenez

    Foster/JWP/Bednarek/Peltier

    2 FTs, 1.9 ITB

    1. The Special Wan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      If you can do Vardy + Ericksen to Zaha + Sterling is better. Don't get rid of Son

      1. Doolittle
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        I can do either, Eriksen's stats are looking better to me though.

  14. Puyol Pants Up
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Can't wait to sell Duffy

    Has been a shocking pick, I have had him since his 9 pointer against HUD though so at least I got something from him 😛

    1. MafioSol
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Friday's news ...

  15. Richd
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    ooooooooookaaaaaaaaayyuuu

    Welcome to fmlfpl my names ALON

    1. The Special Wan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Favorite podcast just bcoz of the intro

  16. Puyol Pants Up
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Guys, which option is better?

    A) Shaw (hud) + Shaw (CAR) + Ederson (bha)

    OR

    B) Keane (BUR) + Redmond (HUD) + Lloris (EVE)

    1. The Special Wan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A is better but u have two Shaw

  17. The Special Wan
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Bench two from these players
    A) Redmond (away to West Ham)
    B) Llorente (away to Bournemouth)
    C) Ryan (away to Arsenal)
    D) Foster (away to Chelsea)

    1. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Llorente Foster
      (Assuming you can't bench C & D! 🙂

  18. Spark Dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    In the Semi-Final of my in-house head to head league. Only one still with my TC chip left to play.

    Advice please on who to slap down the TC on in GW37:

    A) Hazard v Watford
    B) Sterling v Leicester
    C) Aguero v Leicester
    D) Mane v Newcastle
    E) Jota/Jimmy v Fulham (bit of a left field option compared to the rest)

    Advice welcome! Cheers.

    1. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Either of B/C is the safe move, but E with Jota would be a decent punt.

      1. Spark Dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers mate! I'm also 49k in the World and wouldn't mind edging a little higher before the season is out so Jota could be a cheeky punt there.

  19. Punty
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Is there a way to check how I would place in Hall of fame?

  20. LC1
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Morning peeps.

    After having a really bad month or so on FPL, I had my best ever week with 141 which has put me to 1st in my big cash league!

    Good luck everyone with their last two weeks!

  21. sindz
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    TC chip on Hazard or Sterling in gw37? Both are diffs in my ML