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. George Sillett
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    At least Salah being out gives Man Utd a chance of conceding less than 4.

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Should cement ogs getting the sack!

    2. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      ZzZz

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        If you are tired, go to bed

      2. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Its just the truth mate .

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

      Origi doesn't miss sitters though. Surely it'll be more. Liverpool will have more possession too without all those dispossessions and pot shots

  2. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Just want to rip my team up! Rage!!!!

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Go for it -12

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

        Not doing -12 anytime soon again lol.

        1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          2 million+ for you

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

            I will take it on the chin.

            Mane, TAA, Vardy and Lund still to play. Vardy VC.

            I am not feeling to down plus Dunk 1 pointer off the bench.

            Come on LFC!!!

            1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Ohhh. Really scraping the barrel with that dunk 1 pointer lol. Hope you cross 10 points this week lad

      2. Regin
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        The way I see it it's better not to take any hits bcoz nobody is really performing. The advantage may be in not taking hits.

        1. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          And getting no points.

          1. iL PiStOlErO
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Same thing with hits this season. So no points both ways.

        2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Shhhh

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

    Mourinho talking up Lee grant, lol.

  4. Regin
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Today would be a good day for Robbo to get his first premier league goal. And mane to get a brace. I am on an all time low of 15 points with these 2 remaining plus lundstram, who have hope to get a goal and cs tmrw

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

      Didn't he score in GW 38 in 2017-18?

      1. Regin
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Oh yeah. Forgot that. Then his second goal.

      2. Danno - Emre Canada
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Yep scored the last goal of Liverpool’s,season against Brighton.

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

      Lund will prolly haul.

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        No, he’s first off my bench.

        I never get that kind of jam, mate.Trust me, it’s more likely minus points for Lundy tomorrow.

  5. KINGS
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Prepare for Salah exodus

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Had not even considered that.

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      As an owner I wouldn't mind it

  6. Smurf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A Mane blank would be very welcomed and be the best thing to happen in the GW for me.

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      This

    2. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Behave

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

    The best thing about Fred is his optimism. He missed the start of the season for his honeymoon after he originally postponed it because he didn't want it to clash with the Copa America......for which he wasn't selected.

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

      :LOL:

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

      Feel for the guy. Not for his partner.

  8. Dacra
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Salah, bah.

  9. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone else with worst season ever ?

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

      Yes hi

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Just you.

    3. Hiddenpaw
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yep

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

      my worst already happened couple of years ago))

    5. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yer every season seems to be worse than the last so I'm always having the worse ever season

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

        lol, upvote for the Office Space reference.

    6. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Shaping up to be, yes.

    7. TOADFISH
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      By a mile

  10. MarvelouSuccess
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone else loving the Salah meltdown? Mane owner here

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Loving it 3000

      1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Didnt take a hit this week, have 23 with Mane, Taa, Auba and lund left. Comfy green arrow

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

          I took a -4 hit and I have 25 points with Mane and Lundstram to play.

          1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Ohh. Just about average I'd say

  11. Hiddenpaw
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    This week I have Salah, Kun, Mahrez and Ota. Think I’m done.

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Ouch

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Only one of them I don’t have is Mahrez.

      All 3 of my bench needed this GW now.

    3. Mr. Chimes
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Bro, I have Salah, Kun, Ota and Kelly. I feel your pain.

  12. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A Mohammed Salah at 12.3 could be rather nice for the run upto xmas!!!

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

      Possibly will have his price held

    2. Stokelona
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      He’ll be 12.2 or 12.1 next week.

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        That would be delicious!! Haha

      2. jtreble
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Sure mate. That makes sense. 🙂

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

    hope Robbo covers Salah then.

  14. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I know schadenfreude is looked down upon here, but as a non-Salah owner who is, to be fair, not doing too well either . . . . every little bit counts too, y'know?

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

      After all the comments on our teams like "Useless. No salah. Start again", I feel we deserve a wry smile at least.

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        This! Haha. Jolly Mane+TAA owner here.

    2. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'm on 15(-8) with four to play (Mane, Robbo, VvD, Auba). I NEEDED this

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Yes, the most welcome yet unexpected of blessings haha.

      2. Party time
          4 years, 5 months ago

          😆

      3. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Careful what you wish for. Loads of Ricos, Cantwells and Lundstrams coming off the bench ... it could be worse.

    3. royaljoe
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Salah, Aguero and Mahrez all 0 minutes 0 points all on my team, expected all 3 to play. What is going on?, not happy!

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

        I have them + Ota. I win.

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Extremely unlucky.

      2. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        How has your bench done?

        1. royaljoe
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          2,2,0 on bench 🙁

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

        Better than all of them getting 1 minute 1 point though.

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

        you could've really see that happening with Salah injury and Pep's roulette:)))

        1. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Hindsight is alive and well.

      5. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Very unlucky

      6. Maddamotha
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Peoples bench probably to score more than Salah would in this game anyway, and ppl get jammy points like Rico off their bench, or my rival had VC on Dilva and C on Salah..

    4. Champagne supernova
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Anyone considering TAA and Robertson double up now Alisson is back.

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

        Already there.

      2. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Lots of people already have that.

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

        Not for me

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

        too expensive, maybe TAA and Matip...

      5. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Never left my team.

      6. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Considering yes

        1. Champagne supernova
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Yes me to, I got pereira and 0.8 itb so it’s easy to get him in

      7. Regin
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I am on Robbo and mane. I first had to transfer out Adrian now which i did. I am thinking to get firmino or if budget allows, salah

      8. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I dunno. I'll do whatever, I'm lost

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

        From GW13 or 14 yeah.

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

      At least Salah is getting a rest 😀

    6. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      If one of Salah, mane or firmino would have long term injury, origi best option

    7. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      0-3 FT, Mane and Trent combining for the goals?

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

        Would be awesome

        1. Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Really would. Captained Tammy foolishly but points are points.

          Then all I need is Lundstram CS and winning goal tmr

    8. Stoic
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Henderson on pens I believe

      1. Regin
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I think mane

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

        Bobby.

      3. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Bobby or Mane imo

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

        Hope it's TAA.

    9. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Should really have captained Mane this week 🙁

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Might get a red card yet!

        1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          True but a haul more likely

          1. Eat my goal!
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Without a doubt!

    10. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Hope thad user Shitstorm will get a lenghty ban.

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        ?

        1. el polako
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Guy that claimed he knows line up. Few pages back.

          1. Rash
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Doesn't really change things whether he was right or wrong.

            1. el polako
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Yeah but who needs a liers like that around here ?

              1. Rash
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                I know, but after deadline passed I pay no attention.

                I take it he/she were wrong?

                1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  He...there are no girls here

          2. Eat my goal!
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Oh lol - there’s always plenty that try that card

          3. Murder On Zidanesfloor
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Imagine if it was just before the GW deadline

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

        I agree when people do it before a deadline, but after the deadline has passed does it really matter?

        1. el polako
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          It does cuz next time he can do it before and if someone isnt aware of his reputation they may take him seriously.

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

            But unless they put a source with it the posts get deleted pretty quickly and called out by other users on here. Plenty of people post line ups from Twitter that are basically the same thing and nothing gets done about that.

    11. tucaoneo
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Time for the Brazilian to shine! And I don't mean just his teeth.

    12. MarvelouSuccess
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Mane and KDB rising tonight. Salah will be sold in droves.

    13. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Seriously annoyed by that KDB rise last night. Had exact money for my moves but wanted to wait until after today's game.

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Wow he rose? I have him and didn’t notice

        That’s honestly ridiculous though. Especially after 0 drops despite hundreds of thousands selling him

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

        If you can hold longer than that... Maybe Pep hasn't learned his lesson and will play KDB 90' midweek.

    14. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      What to do here:-

      Pope
      TAA Soyuncu Lundstram
      Mane Son Maddison Mount
      Abraham Aubameyang Vardy

      McGovern Engels Cantwell Montoya

      1 FT 0.8 itb

      A simple Son > KDB or something else?

      Thanks

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

        Son > KDB easy choice

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

      Mane owners are kidding themselves if they think this doesn't hurt him too. Everyone schemes/gameplans for salah which gives mane space which he takes advantage of. No salah sees that attention turned on mane. Origi the man to benefit.

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

        With a week like this just happy he plays 🙂

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

          Perfectly reasonable. And a clean sheet nailed on too.

    16. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Diop second sub comes in for Salah and 0 points! At least will get Rico’ s 8 points when subbed in for Otamendi. This week shows the importance of having a playing bench ( although still annoying to get 0 Diop points.....)

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        *TAA goal, assist and CS would be welcome

    17. Pedram
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I want Mane to punish Salah keepers.

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

        Punish bit harsh

      2. Party time
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I've Mané & Salah + Puerto Rico 1st on bench. Don't know if I am among that list buddy 😉

      3. Feed tha Sheep
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        On a WC who would people preferred front three be? Thinking Tammy Vardy & Agureo/Auba

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

          Tammy, Vardy, Wilson for now.