Scout Notes

Fernandes and Calvert-Lewin continue fine FPL form after goalkeeping blunders

Everton 1-1 Manchester United

  • Goals: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.3m) | Bruno Fernandes (£8.3m)
  • Assists: None | Nemanja Matic (£4.8m)
  • Bonus: Fernandes x3, Matic, Calvert-Lewin x2

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.3m) and Bruno Fernandes (£8.3m) were on the scoresheet again as Everton and Manchester United played out a one-all draw at Goodison Park on Sunday.

Both players were indebted to some questionable goalkeeping as their purple patches of form continued in Gameweek 28.

Calvert-Lewin’s second-minute opener was a particularly fortuitous one, with the Everton striker charging down a kick out from a ponderous David de Gea (£5.4m) and seeing the ricochet sail into the Spaniard’s unguarded net.

Fernandes drew the scores level after half an hour, with his well-hit but saveable effort from 25+ yards out sailing through the grasp of Jordan Pickford (£5.3m).

While the goals themselves owed a significant debt to good fortune, Calvert-Lewin and Fernandes were once more at the heart of their respective sides’ offensive play and they could easily have banked attacking returns without Lady Luck.

Calvert-Lewin, in particular, looks like scoring in every game at present.

The Everton striker might be profligate at times but when the opportunities arrive at the rate they currently are, then a sky-high goal conversion rate isn’t the be-all and end-all.

He should have put Everton two goals to the good soon after his early strike, being denied by de Gea after latching onto a Michael Keane (£5.2m) punt and racing clear of United’s napping backline.

The Red Devils’ busy shot-stopper kept out another Calvert-Lewin effort midway through the second half before the mid-price Fantasy Premier League forward had a goal controversially chalked off late on, with a floored Gyfli Sigurdsson (£7.3m) deemed to have been interfering with play as his teammate’s strike deflected off Harry Maguire (£5.3m) and past a wrong-footed de Gea.

Ancelotti praised his number nine after the game, saying:

Dominic also did really well, he played a fantastic game, not just with the goal. He was involved in a lot, he fought and played well.

It’s pretty much the Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison (£8.3m) show from an FPL perspective at Everton.

The Toffees are steadily shipping goals (just one clean sheet this calendar year) and Carlo Ancelotti continues to rotate around his immovable strike pairing, with the Italian making another five changes to his starting XI from the Gameweek 27 defeat at Arsenal.

Richarlison blanked for just the second time in seven starts but the Brazilian’s owners will have been content to again see him in a number of promising positions and, another day, he too could have hauled.

The former Watford man couldn’t direct a header on target from Leighton Baines’ (£4.9m) inviting cross in first-half stoppage time and later failed to react to a Sigurdsson free-kick that bounced back off the upright and into his path.

The Iceland international then drew a superb save from de Gea after receiving Richarlison’s pass in the 91st minute, not just ruining an assist for the Brazilian but then denying Calvert-Lewin a match-winning second goal as he remained seated in the United six-yard box.

Fernandes isn’t quite the goal-poaching menace that Calvert-Lewin is but the Portugal international, whose current points-per-match average of 8.0 is better than any other Fantasy asset, looks as if he could plunder FPL returns from a variety of situations.

On free-kicks and corners, as well as penalties, Fernandes is as much a creator as he is a goal-getter.

He perhaps wasn’t quite as influential at Goodison Park as he had been against Watford or Bruges previously but still probed dangerously in the number ten role, registering six of United’s 14 shots – albeit mostly from distance.

There was an excellent opportunity to score his second goal shortly before full-time but Pickford redeemed himself by not only clawing away Fernandes’ shanked effort from seven yards but also blocking Odion Ighalo‘s (£6.5m) rebound.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said of his January transfer window capture from Sporting Lisbon:

It was a good goal. A first-time pass by Nemanja [Matic] in our press. Of course, it was a misplaced pass by them but Bruno striking the ball from outside the box… he did have a few strikes but the goal was good.

I think he’s always trying to create something, to score goals or create chances. Sometimes he misses, sometimes he scores.

He’s a good player and we have been missing that type of player to do that for us, I’m very pleased with his overall contribution.

In contrast to the roaming Fernandes, Anthony Martial (£8.0m) was fairly static in the number nine role – but then he often is, and has semi-frequently popped up with a goal in the past when his performances bordered on the disinterested.

There was to be no attacking return this time, however, with a ninth-minute shot that he dragged wide as close as he came to finding a way past Pickford.

That he was even on the field came as something of a surprise, as he had been a doubt for the game with a thigh injury and wasn’t spotted at the team hotel the evening before.

In our weekly reminder never to completely trust what Solksjaer says in his pre-match press conferences, Martial made the starting XI for the 18th time in 19 Gameweeks – and apparently it was never in doubt:

It was just a precaution on Thursday, [Martial] probably could have played. We didn’t take the risk though, knowing Odion was going to play well and there would be no problem.

Daniel James (£5.8m) missed this clash but should be back for the Manchester derby, with his manager saying ahead of kick-off:

He got a knock on Thursday but he’ll be fine for Thursday [against Derby in the FA Cup] or definitely next weekend so not too much to worry about.

The early clanger from de Gea ruined United’s run of three straight Premier League clean sheets and there’ll be few FPL managers investing in the Red Devils’ defenders in the run-up to Gameweek 29, given that their free-scoring cross-city rivals will visit Old Trafford next Sunday.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.3m) and co, who would seem set for a Blank Gameweek 31 given the clash with the FA Cup quarter-finals, are an interesting proposition after the March international break, however, with the season run-in looking favourable.

On the subject of defences, Everton lost another member of their backline to injury.

Already without the sidelined Lucas Digne (£5.8m), the Toffees saw Seamus Coleman (£5.3m) limp off with a thigh strain early on – Ancelotti saying after the match that the club will “see in the next few days” how bad the Irishman’s muscle problem is.


Everton XI (4-4-2): Pickford; Coleman (Sidibe 27′), Keane, Holgate, Baines; Walcott (Bernard 62′), Gomes (Kean 81′), Davies, Sigurdsson; Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.

Manchester United XI (4-3-1-2): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay (Mata 72′), Matic, Fred; Fernandes; Martial (Williams 88′), Greenwood (Ighalo 72′).

Members Analysis


BLANK GAMEWEEK 28 FPL MATCH REPORTS

872 Comments Post a Comment
  1. AbsolutelyNoIdea
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Traore to Sarr now ?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      No

  2. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Opinion on this:

    Firmino+Webster to Auba+Doherty (-4) ?
    Will wait for FA cup and potential injuries...

  3. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Would a player do a Toddler celebration?

  4. I Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Potential WC if DGW29 happens:

    Ederson, Pope
    TAA, Doherty, Egan, Fernandez, Taylor
    Salah, KDB, Sarr, McNeil, Saka
    Aubameyang, Jimenez, Jota

    Would hopefully see a decent rank rise in the double and prepares nicely for GW31. Would FH in 34. Only potential issue would be having to use transfers to set up for BB in 37.

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Guessing you already have KDB mate? And will Saka play both games? So it’s mainly just Auba and Ederson?

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        Yeah I already have KDB. Would expect Saka to play both Kolasinac injured and Tierney recovering. It's not just about the double though. Gets me the Wolves triple up I actually want and a strong BGW31 team.

    2. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      I'll also be tempted to WC if DGW29 happens. I'm looking at a KDB+Mahrez double-up with Auba and Ederson; maybe Saka too.

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      A decent plan if your current team is a mess. Will get 6 x FTs between when we know the GW37 fixtures and GW37 itself, and if around half the teams have a DGW in 37 (which should be about right), you should have (by law of averages) 7 or 8 DGWers in there already, so should be able to get pretty close to 15 x DGWers for the BB.

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        I suppose in terms of numbers, the optimal on paper for a GW29 WC (if Man City v Arsenal happens) is 3 x Man City, 3 x Arsenal, and 9 x players who play in GW31.

        1. BNMC
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 27 days ago

          What other Arsenal player would you look at besides Saka and Auba? I like Pepe but feel he's too expensive.

          1. Now I'm Panicking
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 27 days ago

            Pepe could be a punt for the DGW only I suppose. Is a shame Arsenal are gash really isn't it 🙂

        2. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 27 days ago

          Yes 6 DGWers and with 2 FT's you've got an 11 for GW31

        3. Nutella
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 27 days ago

          When will we know if this is the case?

    4. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Try and replace McNeil (who is not prolific) with someone like Antonio (now playing as a striker)

  5. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    I like Deeney as a super out-there differential pick. 6.2m, nailed, pretty consistent, on penalties, decent fixtures, doesn't blank in 31, only 2% owned... what's not to like?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      His face?

      Seriously though, a good pick.

    2. Marmalade Forest
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Better options at around the same price?

      At least they feel better.

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Dominic, Jimenez and Jota being better is only issue.

      Differential wise, yes, he is a decent pick. Bit of a hot head.

      1. Citizenkane91
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        But Wolves have better options at the back than Watford, more coveted slots there. So Sweet is a very good shout.

    4. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Surely Sarr

    5. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Think I had a similar feeling towards him about this time last year?
      I have a strong feeling he got sent off a few minutes into the first game of a DGW. Is that right?

      1. BNMC
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        I know for a fact that he got sent off against Arsenal, but was that a DGW?

      2. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        Not sure it was a DGW, but is was definitely an early RC against Arsenal just after he was a bandwagon.

      3. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        Arsenal, that's right.
        I guess it wasn't a double then, all I remember a strong sense of betrayal from my genius differential pick.
        Thanks both.

    6. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      I like the pick!

      1. Your Man With The Hair
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        Here, i think you dropped this:

        R

    7. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      He has only scored 2 points less than DCL since GW24. I Would have him in my team

  6. CRAZY TRAIN
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Auba or Jimmy a better replacement option for Vardy?

    Can afford either so money no issue

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Jimenez. Next couple of games wont be easy for Arsenal.

    2. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      I'd go Auba if your team is in good shape. Personally i'm not going there as dont want to spend that much and like my team with the funds spread out a bit. I'd still be looking at way to get one of Jimmy or Jota in

      1. CRAZY TRAIN
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        Getting both would mean losing DCL or Ings (of which I think Ings would be the fall guy)

        1. dbeck
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 27 days ago

          yeah I agree, Soton seem to be on the beach. I'd wait a week, i liked Ralph post match interview, he was mad, may see a reaction vs Newcastle

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Does it not depend on your GW31 plan?
      I have both if that helps.

      1. CRAZY TRAIN
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        Thanks, I don't really have a plan for GW31 if I am honest 🙂

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 27 days ago

          Probably Jim then.

  7. dbeck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Would you bench boost this? Over rated chip and with WC gone, allows me to focus on keeping my money in my 11 and using transfers to ride the double/blanks. I know the General is looking at BB this week

    Ederson McCarthy
    TAA Robbo Lascelles Doherty Egan
    Sarr Grealish Barnes Mo KDB
    Ings DCL Jimenez

    Also 1ft so can perhaps move Lascelles on to guy with a better fixture, can wait to see if Lascelles blanks in 31 and if so I move to Saiss could be an option)

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Seems like a plan. Andy did it the other week and did well with it - DGWs always disappoint.

      1. dbeck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        yeah though i feel he got lucky to spike to McNeil haul as he doesnt put up double digits

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      If those are your thoughts, do it. Don't let others put you off 🙂

    3. Citizenkane91
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      A strong case for BBing.

  8. aapoman
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Martial to Sarr? Have B. Fernandes as well and Martial just looks shocking and invisible most matches.

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Good move. Do it

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Do it. Though Martial has looked shocking and invisible most of most matches for nearly 5 years now, not just recently.

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      If nothing else more important, good move

    4. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Yeah do it

    5. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      If you don't have DCL, Richarlison could be a good replacement as well

  9. Amey
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    I forgot to post this yesterday .....

    Long Live VAR !!

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Was that a correct decision?

      I'm a noob when it comes to offside rules but that decision didnt made sense to me by any means 😀

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        Siggy was offside & in GK's way.
        I know that he didn't interfere but you don't have to when you're in front of GK i guess.

      2. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        50:50 call as they say 😉

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Just watched it. Obvious offside, he was sitting on DDG's toes.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        Yep
        Lazy Siggy
        😀

  10. noquarternt
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Would you move DCL or Ings to Jota?

    Feels like a bit of a luxury transfer when holding this week could be a differential in its own...

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Do you have any wolves attackers or other fires to put out? If its no to both, i'd do Ing to Jota

      1. noquarternt
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        No wolves and no fires. Yeah it’s hard, feel Ings could do alright though, should be back and ready to blast in a fluke v Newcastle. Thanks for the thoughts.

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      I'm considering Ings to Jota.

  11. MJM
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Has anyone beaten 20(-8)= 12 this season? Asking for a friend...

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Feel for your "friend"

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/21754251

      This might be your close friend

  12. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Best defender for 4.4m who has a game in 31?

    1. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Charlie Taylor probably. If you can dig up an extra 0.1, Saiss

      1. dbeck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        agree with this, if newcastle dont beat WBA this week, then Lascelles is an option

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Charlie Taylor

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        Cheers mate. Thinking Firmino dunk > Auba Taylor for a hit. Worth it?

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 27 days ago

          Not sure tbh
          If a DGW, Maybe yes

          1. SpaceCadet
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 27 days ago

            Yup will only do if it’s a dgw. Cheers

    3. aapoman
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      C. Taylor easily

    4. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Lascelles may have a game, if WBA beat Newcastle.

    5. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Thanks all

  13. Dele
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Pending no injures G2G? Got one eye on Ings > Jota.

    McCarthy
    TAA, Doherty, Soy
    Salah, Mane, Fernandes, KDB
    Jimenez, Ings, DCL

    Button, Lacelles, Douglas Luiz, Williams

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      That'll do.

    2. Wheato182
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Not sure on the wolves double up myself.

  14. Wheato182
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Ings to DCL or just stick??

    Current team

    Pope
    TAA - Doherty - Soy
    Barnes - KDB - Bruno - Salah
    Jimi - Firmino - Ings*

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      What about Jota?

      1. Wheato182
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        Not to sure on doubling up on Wolves up top, will have a think about it tho....

  15. BigDaveSaves
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Curious as to why most people seem to be saving their Free Hit for a later date and not using it in GW31. Are there a good few games expected to go ahead 31?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Worth more in a decent double then loading up on some meh players.

  16. aborg
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Just a talking point:

    For the first time ever I’m finding myself lagging badly in my ML.
    I’m used to battling it out in the top 3 at this stage and winning my ML half of the times.
    This season I’m miles away in my ML and can’t seem to put a foot. I’m about to throw the towel.

    I realized that if you start the season badly and your early WC does not work out, you end up chasing for the rest of the season and the choices you make become more irrational as GW’s pass by and the points deficit just increase more.
    - Bringing in players after a haul or two does not work when you are chasing.
    - Taking hits this season is not giving me much advantage as I used to have.
    - Differential captain choices backfired.

    Anyone can relate to this in some way or other?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Absolutely.
      Not a psychologist, but I think it is a fairly typical human response.

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      I've never understood the mentality of going against your natural instinct and picking differentials in the hope of catching up when your behind, it's only likely to dig you into a deeper hole. I'd go with your natural instinct and hope that your knowledge is enough to make up the deficit.

      1. BNMC
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        There's a difference between picking sensible differentials and just going all out chasing points. For example, I captained TAA for the West Ham game as I was expecting attacking returns and maybe a CS. I ended up with a green arrow of around 120k places.

        1. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 27 days ago

          If you genuinely believe that a differential is going to score as many or more than the popular option then absolutely go for it, that's taking advantage of your natural instinct.

  17. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Firmino dunk > Auba Taylor for a hit worth it?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Heck yeah

  18. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    So here's what I've got:

    Ryan
    TAA Enda Boly (Soy Rico)
    Salah KDB Bruno Grealish (Cantwell)
    Firmino Ings DCL

    1 FT, 1.3 in the bank. What to do?

    A. Firmino to Jimenez for free
    B. Ings to Jimenez for free
    C. Ings to someone slightly cheaper (Jota or Deeney) and Firmino to Auba (-4)

    If we have DGW29 then it's a completely different story - I'll be inclined to WC. Will probably wait until Saturday morning to finalise my decisions.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Hit! Hit! Hit!

  19. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    So the spike in Corona Virus cases here in the UK over the last few days has led to a COBRA meeting that will announce a course of emergency ACTION tomorrow.

    HMmm!

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Will they be able to fit in an emergency reaction when Boris has only a few days between Caribbean Holidays?
      I read something on Gordon Brown earlier. Not very public friendly but chaired an emergency cobra meeting every day at 7am during foot and mouth disease. These guys are charlatans.

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        Don't worry Richie - the wedding and baby will make everything ok.

        1. Fpl Richie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 27 days ago

          Haha!

  20. Dion D's Solo Shower
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Feel like I'm on a slippery slope of late in my ML.
    Ever since a botched TC on Mané in the DGW, my two closest rivals have closed the gap and I'm now trailing one of them by 30 points, and the other is gaining on me, only 19 pts away and with a TC Chip to spare.

    What am I doing wrong?

    This is my team:
    Ryan - McCarthy
    TAA - Robbo - Pereira - O'Connell - Lascelles
    Salah - KdB - Martial - Perez - Cantwell
    Vardy - Ings - Greenwood
    Got 1 FT and 0.3 ITB.

    Feel like ripping the whole team apart, nothing is working out for me lately...

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Too much Leicester and Ings reverting to the mean. A Wolf or two will make it look much more positive.

      1. Dion D's Solo Shower
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        Leicester's fixtures just look too good to ignore.. Atleast I thought so.
        Maybe Ings --> Jota will do the trick?

  21. STONEROSES
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 26 days ago

    I have FH, BB and WC still left. What is the ‘template’ way to use these?
    Also - Is GW34 likely to have blanks and doubles?