Scout Notes

Why Man City assets underwhelmed in 2-1 win over Bournemouth

Man City 2-1 Bournemouth

  • Goals: David Silva (£7.3m), Gabriel Jesus (£9.8m) | David Brooks (£6.1m)
  • Assists: Silva | Callum Wilson (£7.4m)
  • Bonus Points: D Silva x3, Jesus x2, Brooks x1

Manchester City assets largely let the Fantasy Premier League community down on Wednesday evening as they limped to a 2-1 win over Bournemouth.

There had been plenty of interest in their attacking options for a meeting with one of the division’s worst defences since the restart, but Pep Guardiola’s rotation policy had the last laugh.

Raheem Sterling (£11.8m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£10.8m) were at the heart of that, coming into Gameweek 36+ on 20% and 11.5% respective backing for the captaincy among the top 10,000 Fantasy managers, and both inside the five highest for effective ownership at that level too.

However, with Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal on the horizon, which, to be fair to him, Guardiola has been talking up as a game he will factor into Premier League selections, there was a glut of key men named on the bench against Bournemouth.

“(The FA Cup semi-final is factored into the selection) a little bit but some of the players are going to play on Saturday. Every game since lockdown I rotate five or six players.” – Pep Guardiola


Sterling backers will perhaps be the most frustrated as he came on to play on the right-hand side of the front-three at half-time, shifted to a centre-forward role in the 77th minute but barely had a sniff all afternoon and scored just one point. That was his first appearance at the Etihad Stadium since the restart to feature a blank.

However, there was a potential silver lining for De Bruyne owners as he remained on the bench, kept fresh for the FA Cup encounter, allowing anyone who captained or selected him to get points for their vice and/or first substitute. That is sure to cause some interesting roughs and smooths in Gameweek 36+. Make sure you let us know about them ahead of the next Scoutcast.

To be honest, De Bruyne’s absence from the pitch on Wednesday evening was one of many reasons why Manchester City were ultimately outplayed on the own turf for the first time in a long while.

Across the 90 minutes, Bournemouth bested their illustrious hosts for shots, shots in the box and big chances, thanks to some predictably shoddy defending from a centre-back pairing of John Stones (£5.3m) and Nicolas Otamendi (£4.8m). In fact, the Cherries even broke the Premier League record for most goal attempts registered at the Etihad Stadium, and fewest conceded there, during Guardiola’s time in the Premier League. 

“It was a really difficult game, they played really well. We could not control it. Their high pressing was good. It was a difficult game.” – Pep Guardiola

It was these carefully timed forays into home territory that really stunted the attacking potential of Manchester City’s midfield and front-three, which featured Phil Foden (£5.5m) once more, making his fourth successive start at the Etihad Stadium.

But, unfortunately for the Englishman’s 6.4% ownership, he was a largely peripheral figure with David Silva (£7.3m) and Gabriel Jesus (£9.8m) the only two Manchester City options to offer much for their backers.

The two players nearly combined for an opening goal in the third minute when Jesus was played through on the right by an excellent Ederson (£6.0m) throw forward. The Brazilian dispatched a great ball across the box that fell just beyond Silva.

The Spaniard reminded Fantasy managers of what he could deliver in the Gameweek 38+ meeting with Norwich in the fifth minute when he curled a clinical free-kick under Aaron Ramsdale‘s (£4.4m) crossbar. While he may have to compete with De Bruyne for such responsibilities against the Canaries, it will, of course, be his last Premier League game at the Etihad on that occasion, which may allow Silva to pull rank.

The fact that Manchester City’s diminutive number 21 has now scored in every home match since the Premier League restart is, on its own, arguably good enough justification to include Silva in a Gameweek 38+ squad.

Less involved around the penalty box than he would have liked, thanks to Bournemouth’s plucky determination of field-position, Silva was about his business again in the 38th minute. He slid Jesus into the box, who stepped to the right of Steve Cook (£5.0m) and coolly buried his effort into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

Sterling’s introduction for Bernardo Silva (£7.6m) at half-time was a cause for renewed hope after a subdued first period… but it was not to be.

Between then and full-time, there were no more than three moments when Manchester City might have added to their lead, but none of them involved Sterling in any real sense.

In the 71st minute, Silva played Jesus in, who was brought down by Cook and won a penalty. However, the video assist referee revealed that the Brazilian’s trailing leg had landed on the Bournemouth defender, overturning the decision and robbing Fantasy managers of a chance to see who would take the spot-kick in De Bruyne’s absence.

Shortly after that, Jesus fired an effort back across goal following a Foden through-pass, the ball sailing past the post. That was the striker’s last involvement before Riyad Mahrez (£8.6m) took to the field in his place, shifting Sterling into a central role for the front-three.

After that tactical switch, Foden was the only Manchester player who went close, showing some nice feet at close-range by the near post before Ramsdale did enough to smother a point-blank shot.

Littered between those sparing chances for the home team, were the reason why they struggled to get any rhythm going forward: Bournemouth’s constant desire to create problems of their own.

Josh King (£6.1m) was the man asking questions in the first half, helped in his efforts by Dominic Solanke‘s (£5.1m) spirited pressing of Manchester City’s centre-back pairing.

After the former Liverpool man had won a 33rd-minute free-kick on the edge of the box, Junior Stanislas (£5.8m) nearly found the back of the net, his effort hitting the post, then Ederson’s head, and the woodwork once more.

But Eric Garcia (£4.5m) coming on to replace right-back Kyle Walker (£5.6m) at half time, and in the introduction of Callum Wilson (£7.4m) and David Brooks (£6.1m) played the biggest part in Bournemouth’s second-half onslaught, potentially even earning some Fantasy attention for the two players.

Auto Draft

It was Brooks who fed King at the back post when he found the net but was adjudged to be offside and the Welshman was the man to get the Cherries’ deserved goal in the 88th minute.

Wilson sprung through on the right-hand side, squaring to a completely unmarked Brooks in a central location, who was left to provide a routine finish under virtually no pressure.

A minute later, Wilson almost got the equaliser as a loose ball squirted in his direction and he struck it wide on the turn.

With Southampton (home) and Everton (away), their final two matches of the season, and Premier League survival on the line, there could be worse punts to take a risk on than Bournemouth assets, especially considering the recent performances.

As we’ve already discussed, the Cherries probably could have, and should have, come away from the Etihad Stadium with a point, so with their win over Leicester and two goals at Old Trafford, there’s every chance they could get at least some attacking returns in the last two Gameweeks.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Mendy (Zinchenko 77′), Otamendi, Stones, Walker (Garcia 46′); Fernandinho, Gündogan (Rodri 68′), D Silva; Foden, Jesus (Mahrez 77′), B Silva (Sterling 46′).

Bournemouth XI (4-5-1): Ramsdale; Rico, L Kelly, S Cook, Stacey; J King (H Wilson 77′), Billing (Surridge 90′), Lerma, Gosling (L Cook 70′), Stanislas (Brooks 69′); Solanke (C Wilson 69′).

MEMBERS ANALYSIS

View full match data in the Members Area

MEMBERS AREA HOME PAGE

FPL Lessons Learned From Gameweek 36+

1,314 Comments Post a Comment
  1. mrodgers91
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    18 from 5 looking pretty rough, hope vardy rashford and ings go mad tomorrow

    1. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      40 pts with 3 to go

  2. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Arteta is class.

  3. SouthCoastSaint
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone know what happened to J-Rod tonight? 51 mins seems odd time for a sub. Was my punt vs Norwich

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

      Knock

    2. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      tight calf

  4. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Playing FH last GW, 1 GW left of this team so which problem would you fix? 1FT & 0.6itb

    A) TAA
    B) Pulisic
    C) Greenwood

    Patricio
    TAA - Doherty - Aurier
    Mane - Martial - Fernándes - Sterling - Pulisic
    Jesus - Greenwood

    Subs: Martins - Kiko - Connolly - Simpson

    1. mrodgers91
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Probably TAA as the money could be useful elsewhere

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

    1FT - 0itb - TC
    1) Vardy > Ings
    2) Pulisic > Armstrong
    3) Salah > Son
    4) Salah > Sterling
    5) Trent > Tarkowski

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

      I suppose I should thrown Martial in the mix as a replacement for Salah.

  6. Amey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bruno Tony Mason Jamie to go ...

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      THIS

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Greenwood instead of Martial. Regrettably benched Jimenez for a new Foden.

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Is he better than the old foden?

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Nice one! New for me Nó. Just got him this GW because he's cheap. You get what you pay for 😉

      2. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Mason Greenwood for me too ..

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          My head is not on Amey! Meant to say Bisakka for your Martial.

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Same except my mason plays for Everton and + Rash

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

        Nice
        Your Mason should get CS

  7. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best city asset to bring in this qeekto go alongside Jesus and Foden:

    A - Dsilva
    B - Mahrez
    C - KDB

    A and B means I can get Auba in for final week still. Thanks!

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      b

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A because mahrez plays in the cup game the weekend and will be benced next league game

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

      A

  8. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Arteta tells it like it is. No cliche ridden nonsense from the man.

  9. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    TAA owners lucky he didn’t see red

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      So all of us lucky

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      What's lucky with no pts

  10. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Vardy first on my bench..

    Greenwood pls don’t play

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Fernandez 0 second on my bench... Greenwood please play!!! Haha

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I think greenwood doesn't play.

  11. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A) Digne Foden

    B) Pieters Dilva

  12. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    DSilva to start this last 2 weeks?

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

      Yes. He will be benched in the cup.

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Benched in the cup and plays last two league games yes

  13. michaelington
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    28 with 4 to play. Is that about as bad as everyone else?

    1. matiakez
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pretty good I'd say..

    2. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Average is 25

    3. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      V similar

      30 (-4) with 4 to play here

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

        Show off !!
        😛

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Only 4 behind me bro!

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

      Yes better i guess

    5. michaelington
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Free hit was a waste. Gained about 2 points. Bad week for all then, move on to the next one.

    6. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      34(-8)
      Ings first on bench to replace KDB.

    7. Jayv807
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      54 but only Bruno and Digne to go

    8. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Just above average I'd say

  14. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Repost;
    Am chasing in my ML and need to take a punt, which move?

    A) Greenwood > Wood/Jay Rodriguez?
    B) Willian > Martial
    C) Salah > Sterling/Dilva
    D) save

    I only have one sub available this GW (Kiko v Man C) as Lascelles & Hayden both flagged.

    Thanks in advance!

  15. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Was Jiminez good today? Many chances?

    1. Party time
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Just have a look at his goal. He will always deliver. I am keeping until the game is over

      • Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        It just seems like every time Wolves score it’s jimmy

      • Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        His wife is due this week tho

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          First child. Prob will be overdue. You'd still expect him to play though, he's not having the baby, to paraphrase Keano 😉

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

            aha cheers, Vardy missed a game when his kid was born tho

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

          Is he expected to go the England cricket player route and miss a match because of it?

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Terrible week so far, need Digne, Bruno, Martial, Vardy & Ings to save me?

      10 from 6 inc C Raheem.....

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

        You got good a chance. Are you surprised about Raheem?

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Some you win, but Peps unreal?

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

      On FH. Dilva captain. 52 pts. 4 to go. How is everyone doing?

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Forgot the deadline, 44 with three to play

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

          Oof. Not a bad score tho.

          1. FPL Pillars
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Yeah happy enough, nice to go into 37 with two FT

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

        FH - 45 with Bruno (c),Rashford Digne to go

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

          Nice. Hope Digne returns!

      3. Traction Engine Foot
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        57 with 3 left here.

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

          Nice

          1. Traction Engine Foot
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Cheers, very happy with the Dilva captain pick!

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

              Same!

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

        41 on FH - Kane the here, City and Pool useless

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

          hero*

      5. Shineonme
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        40 with 3 to play

    4. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Why is Tarkowski top player bought in this week so far...?

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

        Norwich
        They can't win headers.
        I'm also bringing Wood if nothing injury wise happens

        1. FPL Pillars
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Wouldn’t think that move would have such a wide spread backing, very strange! Can imagine he will fall back after tomorrow’s games, and seeing as he just got a two pointer.

      2. Free Hat
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Norwich next no?

        1. FPL Pillars
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Just seems very odd to have a burnley defender on top transfers in 😆

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

        Also a lot of people transferring out Aurier etc.

    5. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Seeing many teams with Digne, have i missed something? Everton have been leaking goals since the restart.

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Some people just can't resist "good fixtures".

    6. Will J 256
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Hi guys! Hope you are OK. What are you doing with pulisic? Starting him against Liverpool?

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yea, selling Willian or giroud

      2. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yes, that game will suit him.

      3. matiakez
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        was going to sell but might play now. Feel like there's bigger issues elsewhere.

    7. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Which combo scores more next GW??

      A) Doherty + Robbo + Antonio
      B) Tarko + VvD + Martial
      C) Tarko + AWB + Son

    8. matiakez
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      What to do with Foden now?

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

        What pep will do.
        Bench

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

        Keep. He jad abad game but plays next match.

        1. Big Hands Barry
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Not a certain starter though

      3. SouthCoastSaint
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        If he doesn’t play semi he should start vs Watford you’d think so would hold. He’s been very unlucky not to pick up points (good save Ramsdale tonight and some almost assists and so so unlucky vs Newcastle )

      4. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Certainly won't be captaining him again 🙁

    9. SouthCoastSaint
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Creswell and iheanacho to wood and pieters -4?

      Targeting the beach/ relegated teams and hoping for some madness

      1. Big Hands Barry
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Madness you owned those to begin with. Go for it

    10. Nightf0x
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      The amount of hits i took
      The amount of errors i have done this season, capt. Errors, ((((backfire tranfers))))

      Looks like will cost me the ML after 4 years of total domination

    11. Ange Ball
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      O my when you think you got it bad from Trent KDB 0 and Salah 4pts someone in my league has KDB TC and Sterling VC :0O

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

        Scores same as my Mane TC this season & sane last one.
        No sympathy from myself

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

        That was a big blunder. Even Pep said it, heavy rotation and people didn't listen!

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

          Exactly! Can't believe people thought Kev Sterling mahrez would all start.

          He basically told us they wouldn't.

          The captain choice was the hard part!

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

        did Robertson to Gomez three weeks ago to make room for better subs to account for rotation.That has killed me.

      4. Free Hat
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Tbf picking those 2 was always risky

    12. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      55 with Digne, Antonio and Vardy to play!

      Happy days!

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Congrats.Why not Martial/Fernandes over Willian or Pulisic?

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

          My leagues are no United player leagues. City fan leagues. OR is of little concern in times when they are good.

      2. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Allergic to Man Utd?

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

          See above. Essentially yes.

    13. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Is Greenwood is injured, is this worth a -4?

      Greenwood & TAA —> Rashford & Long

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

        Taa is oop but you can't sell him for a striker

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

          Haha ya what?

      2. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Long took a big knock

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

      Never playing pep roulette again, sure I’ve said this before ...

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

        BuT, Pep even told you. I am no expert but City's starting 11 was predictable.

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

          Yup. Both Silva's and Jesus and Foden was all but sure

      2. HashAttack
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        So which 3 MCI players will you have next week

    15. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I need Tony Martial to go insane tomorrow

      Like insane..

      1. Big Hands Barry
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yep agreed. If he gets sectioned my rank will surely rise

      2. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Your a home player tho Tone. You only ever really haul at home. You leave the away points to Bruno

      3. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Doesn’t matter now that everyone owns him

    16. as33
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Foden or DCL for the last 2gw?

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

        Neither

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          This