Scout Notes

Another home blank for Abraham but chances continue to arrive

Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle United

  • Goals: Marcos Alonso (£6.2m)
  • Assists: Callum Hudson-Odoi (£6.0m)
  • Bonus: Alonso, Hudson-Odoi x3, Kurt Zouma (£4.7m) x1

Chelsea continued their impressive start to the 2019/20 Premier League season with a hard-fought victory over Steve Bruce’s Newcastle United, a result that lifts Frank Lampard’s side into third.

The Magpies came into the game having secured upsets against ‘big six’ opposition in the current campaign – namely Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur – yet the compact system deployed by Bruce fell marginally short of its intended ambition with Lampard’s side battling to a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge. 

Although another clean sheet for Chelsea will be pleasing for owners of players such as Fikayo Tomori (£4.7m), who has emerged as a starting budget defender under Lampard, this was an afternoon of sheer disappointment for owners of the highly-popular Tammy Abraham (£7.7m) – the most popular selection in our Gameweek 9 captaincy poll with over 30% of the vote. 

Abraham squandered a number of golden chances, including hitting the bar and being denied when in on goal with just DeAndre Yedlin (£4.4m) to beat, but the American defender put in a remarkable block to deny the England striker any attacking returns. 

In a Gameweek where a number of non-premium forwards attracted considerable captaincy interest, including Callum Wilson (£8.0m) against Norwich who also blanked, Abraham’s performance will be a source of considerable frustration for managers who handed the mid-price striker the armband. 

This was the England striker’s fourth blank in five home matches this season.

Although Abraham was unable to get on the scoresheet, defender Marcos Alonso (£6.2m) delivered a goalscoring performance that was a reminder of the Spaniard’s attacking abilities, even if he is unable to reach the standards he has previously set for himself in the Premier League. 

Alonso’s goal came after Callum Hudson-Odoi (£6.0m) set up the defender, and the performance from the 18-year-old will have given his manager food for thought after yet another assist. 

This was Hudson Odoi’s second successive start for the Blues in the league, and including his substitute appearance against Brighton in Gameweek 7, the forward has now registered three consecutive assists in the Premier League. 

Given the competition for places in Chelsea’s squad alongside the form that the likes of Willian (£7.0m) are exhibiting, it is difficult to determine whether Hudson-Odoi is likely to retain his starting berth in the Chelsea XI.

Yet at a price of £6.0m, the England international’s performances are certainly worthy of monitoring for Fantasy managers who may be looking for a differential to complement the likes of Abraham. 

Lampard confirmed how pleased he was with Chelsea’s attacking performance in his post-match comments. 

We were upbeat, we had urgency, the tempo was good, and that got us the win. We want to score goals. You can see the fans – I think they’re happy with what they’re seeing at the moment. We want more.

Although lately it has been Mason Mount (£6.8m) who has been grabbing the headlines with four goals and an assist so far this season, in the game against Newcastle the Englishman was unable to deliver any attacking returns and was substituted by Lampard in the 64th minute at the expense of Christian Pulisic (£7.2m). 

Ross Barkley (£5.6m) left the pitch in the 43rd minute, with Mateo Kovacic (£5.4m) coming on in his place, and Lampard confirmed after the game it was an ankle injury and it will be assessed in the coming days. 

It’s an ankle injury. We need to assess it and see how bad it is.

For Chelsea’s defence, although Newcastle seldom troubled their backline, a second clean sheet in two games and just one goal conceded in their last three will be promising news to those managers in ownership of their defensive assets, although Tomori was booked late on to reduce his score to five points. 

Whilst Chelsea will be ruing both their misfortune and inefficiency in front of goal, this was a defeat for Newcastle that underlines the disinterest in their players as Fantasy options in 2019/20. 

A lack of attacking returns has become a familiar tale on Tyneside in the current campaign, and unless Bruce is willing to compromise the Benitez-esque tactical principles whilst playing away from home against typically ‘bigger’ sides, the likes of Joelinton (£5.8m) are unlikely to prosper within Newcastle’s set-up – despite the Brazilian scoring against Spurs in Gameweek 3 when a similar counter-attacking system was deployed away from home. 

Easier tests await though and Bruce confirmed in his post-match comments that the upcoming run of fixtures for Newcastle will be hugely influential in determining the outcome of their 2019/20 campaign:

We’ve had a really tough start. We’ve now got a run of games against teams who are going to be in and around us. Hopefully, we can get a few points.

A fifth successive win for Chelsea points to the momentum they are gathering under Lampard, and although today marked a blank for Abraham, those managers in ownership of the striker should not be deterred the lack of returns in today’s fixture. 

The Englishman was both the creator and recipient of a number of chances throughout the game, and given his price, he is likely to continue to offer exceptional value as an attacking option at an in-form team who now sit third in the Premier League table. 

Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Alonso, Zouma, Tomori, Azpilicueta; Jorginho, Barkley (Kovacic 43′); Hudson-Odoi (James 90+2′) Mount (Pulisic 64”), Willian; Abraham.

Newcastle United XI (3-4-3): Dubravka; Clark, Lascelles, Schär; Willems, M Longstaff, S Longstaff, Yedlin; Saint-Maximin (Gayle 85′), Joelinton (Atsu 83′), Almirón (Carroll 70′).

Members Analysis 

Players involved in Chelsea v Newcastle United sorted by expected goals (xG)

Abraham was the second-highest underachiever of xG (-0.66) of all players involved in Gameweek 9, behind only Aston Villa’s Anwar El Ghazi (-0.73). 

Players involved in Chelsea v Newcastle United sorted by chances created (CC)

Hudson-Odoi created the most chances (five) of all players on the pitch, whilst also registering the highest baseline bonus points score (23) of all midfielders in action on Saturday in Gamweek 9. 

Players involved in Chelsea v Newcastle United sorted by attempts on goal

Willian posted some eye-catching numbers, creating three chances and matching Abraham for attempts on goal.

Alonso’s total of six penalty box touches is the second-highest among FPL defenders in Gameweek 9 so far. Since his return to the Chelsea team in Gameweek 5, no defender has registered more touches in the opposition area.

Team-wise, Chelsea won the joint-most aerial duals (24) of all teams in action on Saturday. This again underscores Newcastle’s weakness in the air – only Norwich have allowed more headed chances than the Magpies (29) this season.

Analyse player and team data from Chelsea v Newcastle in our Members Area.

929 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I suspected something was really wrong with Salah because mindgames against a relegation candidate would be a pointless low blow from Klopp

    1. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      He's really not one for mind games anyway. It doesn't seem to be in his nature.

  2. Celt Abroad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    We’ll find out in 2 minutes if we can run with the “Sandstorm in a teacup” headline.

  3. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    hope to see Martial playing

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      That you Mark?

    2. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah looking to bring him in if fit

    3. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Me too, enjoy watching him and he is the missing piece of united’s puzzle quite clearly this season

    4. notlob legin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      This - my transfer next week if he starts

  4. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    No M0 would mean Rico.

  5. brianutd-why always we? 20
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Glad I sold Salah now he’s out today. AWB back come on Utd

  6. Naby K8a
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Mignolet gets the nod up front today.

    #LFC

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

    Maybe Salah lives at Old Trafford like Martial?

  8. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who are people getting as Salah sub?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Rico

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Nice. Got him as first sub my self. Won't come on unless Auba or Arnold miss out.

      2. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Lucky.

    2. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Lunns

    3. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Lundstram

    4. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Dunk. Gerrin

    5. vuleeeee
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Saka

  9. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pitchforks at the ready...

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      He was good I goals yesterday....

    2. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      *lights fuse on the fireworks.........

  10. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    No Salah confirmed

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      *gets popcorn*

    2. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Whoooohoooo

  11. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Divock starts in place of Salah

  12. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Liverpool as expected.

    LOL @ those believing Sandstorm.

    1. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Salah?

    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      *Sh*tstorm

  13. Naby K8a
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    United back 5 ATB. The United way eh?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      433?

  14. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    ⚽ Team News 📰
    MUN: de Gea, Lindelöf, Maguire, Young, Wan-Bissaka, McTominay, Fred, Tuanzebe, Rashford, James, Pereira
    Subs: Romero, Williams, Rojo, Garner, Mata, Martial, Greenwood

    LIV: Alisson, van Dijk, Matip, Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Henderson, Mané, Firmino, Origi
    Subs: Adrián, Gomez, Lovren, Chamberlain, Keita, Milner, Lallana

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      That Utd team 😆

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

        It’s so bad. It’s like they are playing the Caribo Cup team every week.

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Andreas and Fred 😕

      Good to see AWB back at least...

    3. teneighty
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      DDG playing is a surprise. At least I made one good decision ahead of this weekend with my Salad -> Mané transfer.

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

      Thank you sir.

  15. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Liverpool Starting XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Mane, Origi, Firmino

    Subs: Adrian, Gomez, Lovren, Milner, Keita, Lallana, Oxlade-Chamberlain

  16. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Oh well, had Vardy as VC.

    Come on Mane and Trent!!!

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      That's a good result for you, what sub do you get coming in?

  17. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Mo fit and firing for spurs then (C)

  18. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Looks like I should have captained Tomori this week.

  19. Ode
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    No Salah No Salah running down the wing!!

  20. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Whose on pens for Liverpool now?

    1. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Mane

    2. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Bobby.

    3. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      One of the Brazilians whose surname starts with F

    4. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Gotta be Mane...

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Missed two in the African Nations, doubt it.

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

      Thinking Liverpool get a pen at OT - LOL

      A Brazilian.

    6. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Mane i reckon

    7. Lord.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      They’ll bring Milner on

    8. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Sadio

    9. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Fabinho maybe?

    10. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Fabinho I'd wager.

  21. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Mark benched martial. Mark knows

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

      He has kept njured martial for 6 gws in a row

      What on earth was he thinking?

  22. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Salah dropped?

    Recent performances and past games vs United...

  23. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    If I had not hit Wildcard, I would still have the following:

    - Salah
    - Barnes
    - Kelly
    - Otamendi

    (Also Pukki.)

    27 points coming into this match is a god-send.

  24. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Shitstorm needs ➡ Banning

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Agreed, people post this stuff and claim it's information provided by an insider "friend"

      Get rid of these clowns

    2. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Nah, his friend told him the line up. He's just as much a victim of this as you.

  25. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    That's some utd team. Lol.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Awful ain't it 🙂

  26. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    No Salah...In Lundstram we trust!

  27. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Tuanzebe midfield? Presume 5 at the back in reality?

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

      Yeah 532, the United way.

      Oles at the Wheel!

      1. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Aha. And hes bought the old bus!

  28. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who's got Rico for Salah then?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Oh yeah, turd. If I kept Salah over Mané I'd have 8 points!
      Fingers-crossed Mané hits that.

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Hahaha on a real

  29. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Popcorn for teamsheet comments

  30. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    No Salah, just wow! Sell for Mane?

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Shipping for KDB sod this sh1t!!

    2. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      For Origi ofc