Scout Notes

Chelsea assets blank as new Everton tactics pay dividends

Everton 3-1 Chelsea

  • Goals: Richarlison (£7.8m), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.7m) x2 | Mateo Kovacic (£5.3m)
  • Assists: Djibril Sidibe (£5.3m), Tom Davies (£5.3m)
  • Bonus: Calvert-Lewin x3, Kovacic x2, Sidibe x1

Tammy Abraham (£7.9m), Mason Mount (£6.6m) and Christian Pulisic (£7.5m) all drew blanks in Gameweek 16, much to the frustration of their respective owners.

Having conceded 10 goals in the last three Gameweeks, Everton appeared to there for the taking but Duncan Ferguson’s introduction on the touchline, and his use of a 4-4-2 formation saw a totally different Toffees side in action against Chelsea.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.7m) was the chief beneficiary from the change in system as he bagged a scrappy brace to ensure three points for the Toffees after Mateo Kovacic (£5.3m) had matched Richarlison‘s (£7.8m) opener.

On the two-goal striker, Ferguson exclaimed:

I love Dominic [Calvert-Lewin]. I think he’s a very good player.

Richarlison modelled his opening goal on Duncan Ferguson’s trademark style

Richarlison scored the first goal of Ferguson’s interim reign with a header that the ex-Everton frontman would have been proud of. That was the Brazilian’s third goal in as many Premier League games.

Playing alongside Calvert-Lewin in an old-school two-man strike-force set-up, Richarlison nodded home from a Djibril Sidibe (£5.3m) cross after Everton played the ball wide having won it from Chelsea in midfield.

Ferguson and his backroom staff had planned on getting at Frank Lampard’s men down their left-hand side, as he explained:

We talked in the analysts’ meeting about the wee bit of space we could get down that side [for the first goal].

Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison worked well together as a strike partnership

It was blood-and-thunder stuff from the Toffees in the opening 25 minutes, with Chelsea failing to test Jordan Pickford (£5.4m) as Everton’s pressure on the ball told.

Theo Walcott (£6.2m) almost found Richarlison with a low cross in the 11th minute, while Calvert-Lewin shot straight at Kepa (£5.5m) after a pass from the ex-Arsenal man.

Michael Keane (£5.3m) was fortunate that Chelsea didn’t punish his giveaway near the Everton area after 18 minutes as a heavy touch from Willian (£7.1m) blew the opportunity.

As the half wore on, Ferguson’s men grew slightly wearier as Chelsea came close to scoring a number of times. Abraham was just off connecting with a Mount cross from the left on 32 minutes and did not get enough contact on a Willian ball from the other side just before that.

Chelsea’ no. 9 was second only to Calvert-Lewin for expected goal involvement (xGI) in GW16’s early kick-off.

Reece James continues to get more league starts while Tomori has now been benched in each of the last two matches

The Toffees once more burst out of the traps after half time, with Calvert-Lewin doubling their lead having outmuscled Andreas Christensen (£4.9m) on the edge of the Chelsea box.

Richarlison then drove an attempt inside the box straight at Kepa before a Chelsea attack at the other end saw the Blues pull a goal back.

A cross from Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.8m) – operating at left-back – was cleared by Lucas Digne (£5.8m) into the path of Mateo Kovacic (£5.3m), who found the corner of Pickford’s net with a fantastic volley.

In the 59th minute, Walcott – as appeared to be the habit of Everton attackers – fired a shot at Kepa from an acute angle inside the box.

Azpilicueta was again Chelsea’s creator in the 79th minute, teeing up a Mount volley which was blocked by his namesake Mason Holgate (£4.4m). Pickford then saved a follow-up effort from the Spanish full-back.

Calvert-Lewin wrapped up three points for Everton in the 85th minute after a poor mistake from Kepa. The Chelsea keeper passed the ball straight to Walcott, who found DCL in the area.

His backheel gave Tom Davies (£5.3m) the chance to score but N’Golo Kante‘s (£5.0m) defensive efforts saw the ball spill to Calvert-Lewin, who made no mistake from close range.

Pulisic’s blank against Everton was his third in a row

Pulisic had a late opportunity to reduce the arrears but his header inside the area was easily saved by England no. 1 Pickford.

Ferguson added on his players:

They were a credit to the football club. A reaction we were looking for.

For his part, Lampard was not impressed with how Chelsea conceded. Asked if Everton’s goals were a case of sloppiness from his team, the Blues boss responded:

Yeah. The first goal, we’re aware that Richarlison is good in the air. The other two were just really poor defending from us. We looked like we were getting back into the game at 2-1, we can’t give away [those] ridiculous goals.

Everton XI (4-4-2): Pickford; Digne, Keane, Holgate, Sidibe; Iwobi, Schneiderlin, Sigurdsson, Walcott. ; Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.

Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Christensen, James; Kovacic, Kante; Pulisic, Mount, Willian; Abraham.

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676 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Wally banter
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Seeing all this hopes for No party tonight, anyone hoping for vardy to save their gw?
    Come on Ardy!! One goal and full bps will do it, else i will not even make into fpl cup

    1. DontPiqueTooSoon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I will most certainly be hoping for a Vardy style party.

    2. MC Hammer
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      He needs to make up the deficit from last week when I captained him instead of Mane

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

      Vardy Party

    4. ljuta zena
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Vardy party, Kane captainer here. It will increase my rank, obviously.

      1. Wally banter
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I like the spirit .. 🙂

  2. PickleRick
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Need some advice. I have 2ft but don't know what to do now. Long term plan is to use WC in GW18, maybe downgrade Pereira to another Leicester defender, get some Spurs midfielders and upgrade Ayew. GW17 fixtures looking pretty good on paper but I see Ayew and Mount get another 2 points and Sheffield lose a CS

    Henderson
    TAA - Pereira - Lundstram
    Mane - Salah - Maddison - Mount
    Jimenez - Vardy - Ayew

    Pope - Dendoncker - Dunk - Rico

    1. ljuta zena
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      after champions league you will be more bright

      1. PickleRick
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I agree, it's wiser wait and see if there is no injurys and how many minutes the players get

    2. DontPiqueTooSoon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I think to hold. I have been in a similar situation thinking of swapping and changing to bring in Spurs/United assets but I think patience and ignore the price swings.

    3. ljuta zena
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Save nerves till saturday, dont panic about price rises

  3. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Zaha & Robbo to Alli & Aurier?

    1. ljuta zena
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

  4. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    KDB Jim to Son Rash or keep Jim till GW 18?

    Henderson
    TAA/Lund/Soy
    Mane/KDB/Dele/Maddison
    Vardy/Tammy/Jim

    Button/Tomori/Hayden/Rico

    1. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Keep Jim till GW18 included.

      1. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        You could do KDB to Son though.

        1. Atimis
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Yep, would lose a lot $ if I won’t

  5. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I need to sort my bench (Hanley and Tomori) but also Rash can't be ignored anymore.
    Is this too much: Jimi+Hanley - Rash+Kelly (-4) ?
    Then Tielemans to Grealish before gw18 and I should be ready for holidays 😀

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

      Drop Tomori instead?

      1. AzzaroMax99
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        That is idea also, but he has a chance to play..maybe xD
        Who would you get for him? Dunk or Willems?

        I have: Henderson, Button
        TAA, Lundy, Soy, Tomori, Hanley**

        1. DontPiqueTooSoon
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Hanley priority for holidays. Tomori likely to come back in this week after two poor Chelsea defensive displays?? I think I am holding another week or two r.e. Tomori. I brought early so not worried r.e. price.

  6. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Team looking all set? Any transfers needed this week?

    Guaita
    TAA Soy Lunds
    Alli Son Maddison Mane
    Rashford Vardy Tammy
    Button Aurier Cantwell Rico

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Looks good

  7. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    TAA - Lundy - Soy
    Mane - Alli - Pulisic - Tielemans
    Vardy - Kane - Jiminez

    (4.0 - Aurier - Cantwell - Rico)
    1ft & 1.0m

    GW17: Kane ➡️ Rashford

    GW18: Pulisic & Tielemans ➡️ Son & Grealish (-4)

    Thoughts on these moves?

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I don’t think I’d be selling Kane

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Like it

  8. MC Hammer
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Kelly threatening to unseat the Lord, battle of the giants!

    1. DontPiqueTooSoon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Won't Kelly be back on the bench when Palace injured players return? Lund will be starting all season.

  9. boc610
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    klopp has well and truly broken Pep.. he was ashen looking and whispering in his post match interview yesterday. like a man who has done one too many bong hits.

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Well done giving credit to Klopp for United beating City 😀

  10. Wally banter
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Can afford only *two* of the following, whom you will prefer over xmas period

    1)Son
    2)Kdb
    3)Tammy
    4)Rashford

    1. boc610
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      1, 4

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Son & Rashford

      1. Wally banter
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        hmm, thanks guys... need to sell kdb to afford son

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

      1, 3 but closely monitoring Rashford!

    4. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      1, 3

  11. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Saiss to Cahill as to not burn a ft?

    Hendo
    Aurier, Soyuncu, Lundstram
    Salah, Manè, Maddison, Mount
    Vardy, Jesus, Rashford

    Button, Cantwell, Saiss, Rico 2ft .1 itb

    Other options are Jesus to Abraham or use 2ft to get in spurs.

  12. Amey
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What would you do with this lot ?
    1 ft 2.4m itb
    Pope Button
    Taa Soyuncu Lundstram Rico Aurier
    Mane KDB Pulisic Son Donkey
    Vardy Jimenez Ings

    1. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I’m done with KDB, keeping him cost me too much already

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        It's frustrating isn't it 🙁

    2. Wally banter
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Obviously Rashford for Ings or Jiminez

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks buddy

  13. RAMZES666
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which 3 do i bench next week? 10 players with home games!

    Henderson, Pope
    TAA Lund Kelly Aurier Rico
    Mane KDB Pulisic Son Perez
    Vardy Abraham Ings

    1. rubberdignerapids
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Perez (Or KDB) , Aurier and Rico

  14. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Problem is you can't see how well your team has done when there are 4 matches and 7 players left to play. Not having any Spurs players or Rashford makes the temptation to make some early changes even worse.

  15. rubberdignerapids
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Can I get an RMT out of 10?

    Taken hits every week like a addict- unusual season this and hovering around 200-300k

    Anyone finding themselves in a similar hitdiction?

    Gazz
    TAA / Lund / Soy
    Mane / Son / Alli / KDB
    Rash / Tammy / Vardy

    Button / Kelly / Dendoncker / Rico

    0 itb

    1. villa_til_i_die
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I took 4 point hits regularly last season and finished 800 k after I lost interest. Said I wouldn’t this season, not took one yet and doing a lot better. Key is picking a strong team and keeping faith.

    2. schwing
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Definitely avoiding hits this season, 4pts is equivalent to an 8k drop in rankings

      1. villa_til_i_die
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        True!

  16. OJS
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hi folks,
    Which one to captain and whom to bench please?

    Ryan
    Lund,Aurier, Pierrera, Soynucu, Kelly
    Martial, Son, Mane, Pulisic, Cantwell
    Vardy, Rahford and Tammy

    I am not sure if I should bench Aurier and Soyuncu

    Would you captain Vardy or Tammy or someone else?

    Tx

  17. Akshatjazz
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Jimenez & mousset out
    Rashford & ings in

    Thoughts ??