Scout Notes

Blades back to their best in defence as Pulisic and Willian are finally blunted

Sheffield United 3-0 Chelsea

  • Goals: David McGoldrick (£5.4m) x2, Ollie McBurnie (£5.5m)
  • Assists: McBurnie, Enda Stevens (£5.1m)
  • Bonus: McGoldrick x3, McBurnie x2, Dean Henderson (£5.2m) x1

Sheffield United kept all manner of European permutations open, for themselves and others, with a resounding win over Chelsea.

Champions League football remains within the grasp of the visitors, and still not impossible for the hosts, after a 3-0 victory that showcased the best of the Blades and the worst of their opponents.

There was a time, in a galaxy far, far away, when Chris Wilder’s team emerged from lockdown as if already on the beach.

Since then, an unbeaten run of four matches involving wins over Spurs, Wolves and now the Blues, has been a stirring declaration of their intent to finish the season as well as they started it.

Two goals from David McGoldrick (£5.4m) – his first in the Premier League for the Blades – and one for fellow striker Ollie McBurnie (£5.5m) saw off a Chelsea side heavy on possession but light on pretty much everything else.

Frank Lampard’s men had 74% of the ball, and 64% of possession in the final third, and yet United matched them for penalty area touches (19) and shots on target (four) – a classic example of it ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it.

The way the Blades do it involves a concerted team-wide effort to press the ball, from back to front, and that hustle was in evidence when they took the lead in the first half.

Jorginho (£4.9m), making a rare start, was immediately put under pressure as he attempted to bring the ball out of his own penalty area, a cross was swung in and McGoldrick scored on the rebound after Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5.4m) made a fine save from McBurnie’s deflected shot.

That combination benefited just 0.5% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers because, let’s face it, hoping for major returns from Sheffield United strikers is the stuff of Fantasy.

Instead, the out-of-position delights of John Lundstram (£4.6m), who made a welcome return from injury with a 27-minute cameo yesterday, and regular points from his fellow defenders have been the way forward this season.

A second straight clean sheet meant solid returns for the likes of George Baldock (£5.0m and 11.5%-owned) and goalkeeper Dean Henderson (£5.2m and 15.9%), with the latter bringing in extra points from four saves and a bonus.

Of those four stops, all were of the regulation variety as Chelsea’s well-owned forward line of Christian Pulisic (£7.3m and 11.7%) and Tammy Abraham (£7.4m and 14.7%) never got into the groove, managing just the one shot on target between them.

The Blades were considerably more ruthless, and their second goal was as simple as it was effective.

The 213,000+ managers who had bought into the free-scoring Willian (£7.3m) for the Gamweek did so not for his defensive prowess, which was just as well when he was left baffled by a one-two that released Enda Stevens (£5.1m) on the left.

The wing-back put over a cross straight onto the head of McBurnie, who buried the chance in the bottom corner.

That was a second assist in four Gameweeks for Stevens, bringing in a nine-point haul on the day. He’s had a remarkably consistent campaign – his 139 points have him fifth in FPL’s defenders standings, but he’s not had a double-digit return all season.

That level of understatement might explain why he’s owned by just 3.6% of Fantasy managers.

Lampard had seen enough by half-time, swapping from four at the back to a formation, involving three centre-halves and wing-backs, that matched up with United’s.

It stirred a revival, of sorts, after the break, but as they pushed for a way back into the match, so they left themselves more vulnerable to a counter-attack; a situation the hosts were happy to exploit all night long.

McGoldrick was on hand to take advantage of one such break when he steered home a cross from substitute Lys Mousset (£4.4m) that Antonio Rudiger (£5.9m) made a horrible mess of clearing.

The pair then combined to expose Chelsea again, only for Mousset to dink the ball over Kepa but wide of the post after being sent through by his partner’s pass.

Conceding four goals would have been harsh on Chelsea, but they’ve been defensively poor all season, with seven clean sheets overall – only three teams have a worse tally – and just the one shut-out in 18 away games.

Lampard, post-match, acknowledged his side’s shortcomings.

They’re disappointing goals, mistakes that led to goals, individual errors, and if you do that you will lose football matches against good teams. They were better than us physically, in the mind and with the ball, so you lose the game. They were stronger than us. We don’t have crowds at the minute so you hear every voice and all I could hear was Sheffield United voices, so they were stronger in that sense.

He then attempted to shift focus onto a future which will involve a mighty fight to secure a Champions League spot.

I’m concerned about how we performed and I learned a lot about that. We cannot approach Norwich or Man United or Liverpool or Wolves in the same way we did today.

The home match-up with now-relegated Norwich on Tuesday will surely persuade most Fantasy managers to hold onto their Chelsea assets for one Gameweek more.

The Liverpool and Wolves fixtures that follow could be an entirely different matter, with the misfiring Abraham a particular concern for his owners.

The striker has just a goal and an assist to his name in the six matches since football returned, and he’s blanked in both of the games he’s started.

Only an emphatic display against the Canaries is likely to halt the five-Gameweek run of net sales he’s endured.

The opposite is true of Sheffield United’s key players.

Excitable press conference questions talked of the team’s Champions League prospects, but Wilder was never going to be so emotional.

It’s dangerous to get carried away – the game finds you out if you take your foot off the gas, but the players are enjoying the challenge and Leicester we will have to roll out another big result.

Instead, he reiterated his faith in keeping things tight at the back.

I am not embarrassed to talk about our defensive record. You have to get it right defensively to stand a chance of getting it right at the other end. We have to have a structure and an identity – players have to have a desire to put their bodies on the line and defend properly and we did that.

Three wins and a heap of other results going their way will be required for United to secure a Champions League spot, but the key point is that the side is clearly in form and up for the fight.

That should make their defensive assets particularly attractive, with trips to Leicester and Southampton and a home match against Everton perfectly reasonable shouts for more clean sheets.

And could even Lundstram bring in some more points for his 29.3% ownership? Sweet dreams are made of these…


Sheffield United XI (5-3-2): Henderson; Basham (Jagielka 68), O’Connell. Egan, Stevens, Norwood; Baldock, Berge (Lundstram 63), Osborn; McGoldrick, McBurnie (Mousset 63).

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga; James (Hudson-Odoi 75), Christensen (Rudiger 45), Zouma, Azpilicueta; Barkley (Loftus-Cheek 78), Jorginho, Mount (Alonso 45);  Willian, Abraham, Pulisic (Giroud 66).

MEMBERS ANALYSIS

View the full player and team data from Sheffield United v Chelsea here

FPL LESSONS LEARNED FROM GAMEWEEK 35+

2,707 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    All these people that are talking about getting Dilva in...feels like the biggest trap I’ve ever seen.

    So what if he’s on free kicks and pens? No way he gets close to 90 and I don’t see him being THAT advanced.

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He is not a trap and certainly not the biggest. Jesus and Sterling are more risky this week if you ask me.

      1. Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Jesus will start. Sterling I’m not so sure

    2. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      It’s the end of his City career. You know he’s going to get given a great send off and doesn’t need to be rested for anything.

    3. Pellegrini Falcon
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Where has this news about Silva being on pens come from? His last effort was back in 12/13 and it was woeful

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        GW38 farewell.

        1. Pellegrini Falcon
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Hmm but considering he has only ever scored in friendlies, I don't think this is something he'd relish as a farewell gift. Might end up looking bad if he misses

  2. hshepherd
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Appreciate any feedback on on this Free hit team!

    De gea
    Azpilicueta, Doherty, aurier
    Kdb, sterling, pulisic, fernandes, Antonio
    Jesus, vardy
    Martinez, Greenwood, lascelles, 3.9def

    1. Botman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Just be wary on City with FA cup this weekend.

  3. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Think Ill go Jesus and Sterling, either way ill have whos playing up front

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Cue, both benched with Gundo up top

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

    are people seriously captaining Pulisic?

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Antonio or Bruno for me

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Hell yeah

  5. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    from an FPL perspective, who would you rather promoted:

    1. WBA
    2. Brentford

    1. Botman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      From FPL and actual preference I'd rather Brentford

    2. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Brentford. WBA’s best player is Pereira who probably will not play for them next season. Brentford has at least 3 intriguing Prospects Behnrama Watikins and Marcondes

    3. Scratch
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Give Brentford a crack. Sick of that yoyo club Baggies, they're like Norwich

      1. noquarternt
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        This

    4. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Benrahma straight into my FPL team if Brentford go up

    5. Bank$y
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Brentford! Kurupt FM, innit, the rest are irrelevant!

  6. FPL Doctor
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Would you FH this team? Concerned no Chelsea and wrong man city players..

    Foster
    TAA Aurier Maguire
    KDB Mahrez Son Bruno Antonio
    Rash Jimi

    Martinez Boly Lascelles Nketiah

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Who are the player swaps?

      1. FPL Doctor
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Foster —> Ederson
        Aurier —> Alonso
        Maguire —> Digne/Doherty
        KDB —> Dsilva
        Mahrez —> Foden
        Son —> Pulisic
        Rash —> Ings
        Jimi —> Giroud

        Thoughts?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Looks like an improvement on paper.
          Probably a bigger one than GW38

        2. The Man Pastore
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I like it

  7. thes7s
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    PL isn't ready for Bielsa, love that guy. Press conferences gonna be real entertainment, if they get a good finisher, he will go straight into my team.
    They missed 84 big chances this season out of 114, Bamford alone missed 32.

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Milestone.

    2. Scratch
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bamford is the pits. We'd have 100 points by now if he was a decent forward.

  8. Postman Ty
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    FH36, thoughts?

    Pickford
    Azpi - AWB - Digne
    Sterling (c) - KDB - Fernandes - Pulisic - Antonio
    Jesus - Vardy

    Greenwood bench.

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling captain dodgy after playing 90. Other than that looks fine

  9. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Good morning DZ.

    Thoughts on this FH team.

    McCarthy
    Alonso Digne AWB
    Salah Mane Dilva Foden Pulisic
    Jesus Abraham
    --------------------------------------------------------
    Martin Greenwood Egan Dawson

    Thanks.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Giroud likely to start.

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        This

      2. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Ings perhaps?

  10. Chelsea91
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Play Taa or Aurier?

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      TAA

      1. Chelsea91
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        thanks mate

  11. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Alonso (c), feeling this more and more atm

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

      That's what happens when you keep on drinking. 😉

  12. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Will Sterling start against Bournemouth? Worth keeping Salah against Arsenal and get Sterling after Bou ?

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'm leaning towards keeping Salah as I think he has a better chance of starting than Sterling.

  13. Phil's Stamps
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who do you prefer this week?

    A) Mahrez
    B) Pulisic/Willian (depending on team news)

    Curently have A. My other City players are KDB & Foden, no Chelsea at the mo.

    Thanks.

    1. Francescoli
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Puli

  14. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    when will Holgate be back? Sell or keep??

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Unless you have no bench you shouldn't be wasting FTs on players like that at this stage in the season.

  15. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Salah or sterling on FH?

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah

  16. Srv210
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Slept at half time bou vs lei (0-1)

    Woke up to 4-1 scoreline with vardy captain ,for a moment thought 4 for Leicester ...but that was unexpected , Bournemouth looked good or Leicester switching off??

    1. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Watch the highlights. Great game with some hilarity there.

      1. Srv210
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Will sure do

    2. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Leicester were an absolute shambles in the second half. Çağlar kicking a lump out of Callum Wilson, although quite funny, saw 10-men Leicester capitulate. Good for Bournemouth, I always liked the way Eddie Howe's team play football. I hope they stay up.

  17. noquarternt
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    H2H question

    Next game week I’m playing a quite strong dead team that has Salah as (C).

    Is it worth taking a hit to bring in and captain Salah to reduce the chances of a mega haul against horrendous Arsenal that Liverpool always seem to spank?

    It’ll be giving me a -4 to start with but removes the volatility.

    Or is captaining Bruno/Willian a better move and hoping for the best?

    (This mini league is my only concern)

    Cheers for any advice.

    1. Srv210
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'm not having salah and not getting...used transfer to get sterling don't know he starts or not but will be good till the end I hope

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If you think the rest of team is a lot better than Salah(c) should be enough.

      1. noquarternt
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        You think I don’t need Salah if I think my current 11 is better than his 11?

        Yeah good point, cheers.

        Pray for another Moura blank.

  18. bigbudgie
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Foden Jesus Sterling will be City's front three, KDB and Mahrez benched for the cup game

    1. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sauce?

      1. bigbudgie
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        my brain
        Mahrez has started the last three, KDB the last two - and if you look at his playing record he has played two rested one

        Plus I think they are both part of the Guardiola's first choice 11 (if he has one) and that will be the team he plays in the cup

        Just pure speculation

    2. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Kdb Benched after coming off at 60 last league game?

      1. bigbudgie
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        fair point, like I said just pure speculation
        Mahrez though? Looks likely

        1. InvertedWinger
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Mahrez bench very likely

  19. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Vardy owners, holding?

    1. Najoman86
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes. 4 goals in his last 3.

  20. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Guys, any changes to suggest for this BB team with 1 FT, 0.0ITB?

    Ederson (BOU)
    Azpi (NOR) | Doherty (bur) | TAA (ars)
    Martial (cry) | B.Fernandes (cry) | KDB (BOU) | Willian (NOR) | Pulisic (NOR)
    Vardy (SHU) | Ings (BHA)

    McCarthy (BHA) Digne (AVL) Greenwood (cry) Justin (SHU)

    1. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Tasty

  21. Rugga
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Gents, Im planning to captain Willian over Bruno and KDB. Need a PoD. Thoughts? Yay or Nay.

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Decent punt.

      I guess captaincy will be spread this week due to multiple options, good week to try something different.

    2. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Norwich couldn't have been any more woeful, Chelsea need to win for top 4 fight. Why not, I say

    3. Rugga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers guys. Knowing my luck, Willian doesnt start and comes on for a 15min cameo and does nothing.

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        We will hopefully get the lineups before deadline, so keep track of that...

        1. Rugga
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Its hard to do so living in Australia lol. But yea its a good one to note. I will set the alarm. Do you know of any sites which reveal teams early?

  22. Francescoli
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I took a hit to get me this. Still considering using my Free Hit chip to bring in more Chelsea, Martial and Giroud.

    Keep this team below (with a -4 in play) or Free Hit it?

    Pope
    TAA AWB Digne
    Mane KDB Fernandes Pulisic Foden
    Rashford Jesus

    Martin DCL Kiko Lascelles

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Keep

    2. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Giroud over Tammy?

  23. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on this fh team? Thanks

    Pope
    Laporte azpi awb
    Salah Bruno dilva willian Pulisic
    Jesus ings

    Martin greenwood holgate ngakia

  24. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone want to pick the one I bench front this front 8?

    Salah KDB Martial Bruno Foden

    Jesus Vardy Greenwood

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Vardy

      1. bigbudgie
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        yup. Has to be

  25. ZTF
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Ederson
    TAA Doherty Saiss (C.Taylor, 4.0)
    Salah Mahrez Kdb Bruno Martial
    Greenwood Jimenez (Connolly)

    1 FT. 0.4m

    Suggestions for my FT? Really tempted by Pulisic but not sure who for.

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Jimmy to Ings?

      1. ZTF
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Had that in my mind for next week

    2. Ronniie
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mahrez to Pulisic

  26. Chelsea91
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Antonio(C) , hope he score two goals atleast.

    1. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not sure about that
      Watford are fighting for their lives and I think they will do West Ham here.
      Norwich was a one off

      1. Chelsea91
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I have other options too Willian,Bruno,Greenwood and Ings. Might go willian and i think chelsea will destroy Norwich.

  27. ZTF
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Martial or Salah for the rest of the season?

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah

  28. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Saw where Pep said to expect changes in the squad against Bournemouth. Up to six changes?!

    So, Dilva, Foden, Jesus? Anyone here with a Pep crystal ball?

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ederson Dilva and Foden looks poised to start. Rest is pure lottery

  29. KingZZ
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A) Son + Kane + Hayden - - > Sterling + Ings + Pulisic for -8

    B) Son + Kane - - > Ings + Sterling for - 4

    C) Son + Kane + Hayden - - > Ings + Sterling + Antonio for - 8

    Which one to go for?

  30. The Man Pastore
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    D.Silva or Sterling on FH?

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Dilva 99.9% will start. Sterling 48%