Scout Notes

Sterling establishes himself as best Man City option with hat-trick

West Ham United 0-5 Manchester City

Goals: Raheem Sterling (£12.5m) x 3, Sergio Aguero (£12.5m), Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m)

Assists: Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m) x 3, Kyle Walker (£6.5m), Kevin de Bruyne (£9.5m) 

Bonus Points: Sterling x 3, Mahrez x 2, de Bruyne x 1

Manchester City midfielder Raheem Sterling (£12.0m) went a long way to proving he is worth the big bucks as a Fantasy asset by scoring a hat-trick in a 5-0 win over West Ham.

Those who opted against owning the England international, perhaps opting for the cheaper Kevin de Bruyne (£9.5m), Bernardo Silva (£8.0m) or forward asset Sergio Aguero (£12.0m) were left in the wake of his 20-point haul at the London Stadium.

Those alternative options, for various reasons, simply could not compete with Sterling.

“Since China and the Community Shield, Sterling has scored one goal minimum every game. On the first day, he played striker and for me, striker will be an incredible position for him. He can play in three positions up front.” – Pep Guardiola

19% of Fantasy managers were left disappointed when it was confirmed that Aguero had been left on the bench. Given the Argentinian’s lack of any involvement in Manchester City’s pre-season campaign, this should not have come as too much of a surprise.

However, to his credit, Aguero did come on for the last 21 minutes and got on the score-sheet, albeit in perplexing circumstances. Despite Sterling being on two goals at the time, the centre-forward demanded he take City’s 86th-minute penalty. He actually saw his initial effort saved by Lukasz Fabianski (£5.0m), but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) ordered it be retaken for encroachment by Declan Rice (£5.0m). Aguero made no mistakes with the second attempt.

Aguero did not start at West Ham but did come on and score a penalty

Either way, the Manchester City striker conundrum will have to be assessed by Fantasy managers in the coming Gameweeks, as, on the basis of the opening game against West Ham, Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) may have the edge over Aguero in terms of likelihood of starts.

It was a clinical performance from the Brazilian, who was sharp throughout and was unlucky to not have a brace on his first league start of the season. His clever finish from a Kyle Walker (£6.5m) cross capped a free-flowing City move to open the scoring. The right-back was awarded the assist despite a touch from Issa Diop (£4.5m) as this deflection did not change the intended destination of the pass.

Jesus thought he’d added a second goal after slotting home a Sterling square-ball but VAR ruled the goal out for an offside against the Englishman after consultation with referee Mike Dean.

Kevin de Bruyne played well despite not reaching Sterling’s FPL heights

One of the most eye-catching performances at the London Stadium came from de Bruyne, whose assist for Sterling came off the back of an incisive, dazzling run. 

If the Belgian can remain fit for the duration of the 2019/20 campaign, he is arguably undroppable. And amidst a City team of considerable instability with regards to consistent starters, it could perhaps be de Bruyne who offers the strongest value at a price of £9.5m. 

While his seven-point haul paled in significance to Sterling’s 20, that reliability of starts should go a long way this season.

Meanwhile, Guardiola’s decision to bench the 27% owned Bernardo Silva will give Fantasy managers another headache ahead of City’s Gameweek clash with Tottenham.

While the Portuguese international is supposedly one of the manager’s favourite players, it might be hard for him to drop those who played at West Ham, with attacking options such as Raheem Sterling (three goals), Jesus (one goal) and even Riyad Mahrez (three assists) excelling for the Citizens. 

There will be a number of difficult decisions for managers who have backed these benched Gameweek 1 players such as Aguero or Bernardo Silva, but City’s outstanding performance against the Hammers is indicative of a team who will not only be rampant throughout the 2019/20 season but a team that managers simply must invest in the attack of.

This was both a clinical performance and a statement of intent from City and Guardiola, with a number of Fantasy assets both emerging into potential relevance alongside consolidating their already imperious credentials for the 2019/20 campaign. 

There was a welcome clean sheet for Manchester City assets, in particular Zinchenko, who started at left-back

City’s defensive quartet of Walker, John Stones (£5.5m) Aymeric Laporte (£6.5m) and Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.5m) were firm at the back to resist a number of attacks from West Ham.

That will be of great encouragement to those invested in the City defence as they continued to demonstrate an improved ability to withstand pressure. West Ham started the game brightly, only to tail off in the face of superior attacking play and sheer determination from City, but it was important to see Guardiola’s men look well organised and disciplined even when asked to defend.

Felipe Anderson came off with a thigh injury in the second half

There really wasn’t much to be positive about for West Ham in this game, as was expected. Hammers manager Manuel Pellegrini is likely to be frustrated at such a despondent final scoreline after his side had started brightly, but defensive lapses against one of the league’s most clinical attacking sides is not a recipe for success. The East London side will look to bounce back from their 5-0 thrashing and get their season started in earnest when they travel to Brighton, who beat Watford 3-0 on Saturday, in Gameweek 2.

Club-record signing Sebastian Haller (£7.5m) had rare glimpses of promise as a target man in the Hammers attack but offered little to convince Fantasy managers to sign him up for some upcoming appealing fixtures.

Perhaps the biggest concern for the Hammers was the fact that Felipe Anderson (£7.0m) went off injured, with what look like a thigh problem in the 66th minute. Interestingly, Pellegrini did not provide any updates on the player in his post-match press conference.

However, he did confir that Jack Wilshere’s (£5.0m) removal from play was not injury-related and was focused on ensuring his fitness due to coming back from a long-term absence. 

“Jack was OK, I made that change because he is coming back from a long injury. No problem.” – Manuel Pellegrini

Members Analysis 

West Ham United XI (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Cresswell, Diop, Balbuena, Fredericks; Rice, Wilshere (Snodgrass 56′); Antonio (Fornals 46′), Lanzini, Anderson (Chicharito 66′); Haller.

Unused substitutes: Ogbonna, C Sánchez, Zabaleta, Roberto

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Zinchenko, Laporte, Stones, Walker; D Silva (Foden 80′), Rodrigo, de Bruyne (Gündogan 79′); Sterling, Jesus (Aguero 69′), Mahrez.

Unused substitutes: Bravo, Otamendi, B Silva, Cancelo

Lessons learned from Gameweek 1

2,859 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gringo Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Kane is a monster, solid start

    1. Arctic_Orangutans
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      He didn’t look threatening at all till end and both goals were from mistakes

      1. MosF94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Had a good headed chance in the first half, and a one-on-one which we should've scored, but was a foot offside anyway. I liked that he was trying to get in behind and latch onto through-balls - wasn't sure on his positioning for crosses today though

  2. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Kane you numpty

  3. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    At this early stage, worth putting in sterling and mcginn for Bernardo and KDB?

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

      As in before tomorrow's games? Probably not.

    2. Tinmen
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I am thinking the exact moves.
      Are you definitely going to do it?

      Losing KDB tho will hurt tho

      1. The-Red-1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I think so!

        1. The-Red-1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          I don't know when the price rises come into play

  4. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Points for everybody

  5. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    ASS 😉

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A blank there would have been glorious but oh well

      1. Arctic_Orangutans
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Your name should be sadroy haha

  6. French Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Kane in August

  7. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    In conclusion - if you picked a vaguely sensible team for GW1 you should be on 70+ and doing well

    So...well done all 🙂

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

      Yep 75 with 3 yet to play. Probably a good game week for most

    2. luke
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Au contrier picked my most reckless team ever

    3. nicoTours
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      True 75pts with 2 to go.Might beat my GW1 tally of last year (79).

      1. The Pesci challenge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Fingers crossed for you

        1. nicoTours
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Thank you.Hope all is going well for you too.

    4. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      79 with Perez left, nice start

    5. Werner Bremen
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      86 with two to play. Not bad.

  8. AA33
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone knows when the FFS H2H leagues start

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Leagues made during week.
      You find out your GW1 match after.

      1. AA33
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks

  9. PedroFC
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who was the clown claiming Kane was ‘so overrated’?

    1. Arctic_Orangutans
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      He was lucky to get them chances, no one ever doubted his finishing, he definitely isn’t as sharp as I’ve seen him

    2. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kane isn't overrated but that match wasn't the one to make this statement ridiculous 😀

  10. moment
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    No chance of Raz rising tonight right?

  11. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    So going with the Big 3 looks Luke the right choice

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Absolutely

  12. drilsby
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Kane essential 🙂

  13. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ugh Kane.

    I knew he'd score big this game. But then there's City away next week...

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ride the Kane wave till Friday afternoon and then transfer Aubameyang in against Burnley

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Will score then too

      1. The Pesci challenge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        All aboard the Kane train

  14. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    All the effort and planning and it’s just Salah Kane Sterling VVD

    Sign

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yep easy as that

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      And mac Ginn.

    3. gedda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      This, but *sigh

  15. tucaoneo
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Salah ends up doing worse than Sterling and Kane smh.

  16. BigBillyBass
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Wilson + Fraser > Kane + Romeu (-4)?

    1. Garlana
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wait a week, Kane has city next, Bournemouth have a decent fixture

      1. BigBillyBass
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Price rises though...

        1. Garlana
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          I'm personally against the move but up to you, if Fraser and Wilson score next week then there's more price rises there

  17. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Was having a decent week till prince harry scored. Woops

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      There’s always next week

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      😀 Do agree with him on that though.

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      It's a valid point but Kane had to go on and score another ha!

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Was ridiculously lucky with first one. But then again finishing all matters

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Aye. Part and parcel of the game.

  18. Eddie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Kelly is just a short term filler right? Checking out best of the 4mil options and Lundstrom playing OOP and maybe getting withdrawn after 60 mins looks tempting. How safe is Rico?

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No Sakho or Tomkins and Cahil not ready, it's only a matter of time with him. Rico looked ok, but again he's a 4m player, you never know.

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'm liking Rico the best of the 4.0s. He started with his main competition Daniels on the bench. He also hovered on set pieces as the left foot option (although Fraser took all of them in the end).

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

        I think he'll struggle to wrangle any set pieces off of Fraser, but that is promising. Don't really trust Bournemouth defence but a playing 4 mil defender would be handy.

  19. Liastro ⭐️
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Gutted to have gone with Auba over Kane

    1. luke
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Until Auba does a hatty, that is!

    2. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      He hasn’t played yet, could bang a hat trick and then all the Kane love moves to auba. Keep faith

    3. ManofKent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Until the hat-trick tomorrow...

  20. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    First brag of the season incoming. 92 with Perez to go. Lovely.

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

      Fingers crossed you'll break a century.

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        You've Perez I take it.

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

          Oh yeah, looks like I do.

    2. Alsanibra
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      93 with Pérez!

  21. davies
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    King worth another week?

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

      Of course. Though Villa don't look too shabby.

    2. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Definitely

    3. TTKKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Dunno but i'm keeping him for another week anyway

  22. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    First GW, finishing with 97-98 points (depending on bonuses for Ryan and mcginn) Robertson blank probably the only low point!

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Nice work

  23. dunny4003
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    86 with bonus points incoming and Perez playing tomorrow.
    No sterling either.

  24. C'mon the Fylde
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I'm on 85pts with Perez to play

  25. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Folks, is Mcginn an attacking mid?
    I Didn’t get seeing the game today

    1. Aleksei
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      he had one chance, he finished it brilliantly, very clinical. But that was it, but that goal was high class.

    2. Throwback
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      More attacking than Grealish. Will get attacking returns and a few bookings

  26. Aleksei
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Kane captainer here. Such a flipping relief. Watched the whole game, Spurs were nowhere near scoring most of the game, awful passing, lack of understanding between players. But first and third goals were beauties. That Ndombele guy might be really good. Second goal was a "classic Kane working goal", and third goal - you should see that confidence in him! Hopefully now the mental barriers all gone, he will continiue to score. Also credits to Heaton - a couple of fantastic saves.
    But I have KDB instead of Sterling, so we can call it equal. Would like to see few Salah, Sterling and Kane teams - did you choose the right other 8 folks?

    1. moment
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think I'll have a Salah, Sterling, Kane team tomorrow, though will have to get rid of one of Robbo or Fraser to upgrade KDB... Gotta get on the top10K template innit.

    2. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      83 with ssk team without baps. Perez to go. Only Rico, Robinson and King didnt get more than their attendency points. Dunk on the bench unfortunately.

    3. oshsan
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      SSK team here, 90pts with Pérez Jiménez and Barkley to go.
      Captained Salah. Got lucky with Origi.
      Rest of team: Pope, KWP, TAA, Zinchenko.

  27. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    First game of the season for majority of teams. Which player stands out that you have or want to bring in? Who is that player who you think will be difficult to ignore?

    Still a few games left for the gameweek but we can safely say we have watched most of the best teams already play.

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Very impressed with Buendia, McGinn and Robinson.

    2. Markus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      There's nobody that screams buy me or revealed anything we particularly didn't know I don't think... XG / fixtures suggest some of the clean sheets won't continue reliably for defenders. Big players scored in easy games. Barnes had great goal involvement last year and continued. They won't score 3 every week particularly next few fixtures. Biggest intrigue is the promoted clubs, but nothing solid there yet... I'd argue the most interesting 'prospects' where we might learn something new are coming tomorrow in Leicester, man utd, chelsea and arsenal

    3. Rocky FPL
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pukki for me especially since I have King. But holding to King for now. Will decide ahead of GW3 with 2 FTs.

  28. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Yay 82 with Auba Martial Perez to go - all Mo free.

    Whoops I unlocked that team. 🙁

  29. davies
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    All of a sudden I don’t want Diop anymore