Scout Notes

Phil Foden hauls again as City defence shines in win over Brighton

Manchester City 1-0 Brighton

  • Goal: Phil Foden (£6.2m)
  • Assist: Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m)
  • Bonus: 3x Foden, 2x Zinchenko, 1x Dias

Phil Foden (£6.2m) picked up his second maximum bonus-point haul in a row as City were made to battle to beat Brighton in Blank Gameweek 18.

The defence of City shone again as their attackers missed a glut of chances in their win.

With many Fantasy Premier League players lumping on their defence, this display will have given them a renewed sense of confidence ahead of the Double Gameweek.

With upcoming games against Crystal Palace and a COVID stricken Aston Villa, their defence looks set to carry on bringing in the points.

Curse of KDB

Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) looks likely to go down as one of the most frustrating player of the season.

Lining up as a false nine in a team scoring goals, FPL players captaining KDB were licking their lips at the thought of a monster haul.

But their was a sense of inevitability after a first half where De Bruyne had two good chances in the box saved by Robert Sanchez (£4.4m).

During the second half, De Bruyne started dropping deeper and deeper as City came under pressure from a spirited Brighton side.

Even when he earned a penalty in injury time, KDB owners must have thought their luck had turned.

However, the sight of substitute Raheem Sterling (£11.4m) stepping up and missing the spot kick quickly brought them back down to earth.

The City captain did finish the game with a clean sheet bonus and an assist for the Foden goal, but yet again owners will be ruing what could have easily been a double-digit haul.

This is by far from the first time De Bruyne and the City attack has failed to convince against a team in the lower reaches of the table.

Once known for their free-flowing attacking football, City have now failed to put more than two goals past West Brom, Newcastle, Brighton and Fulham.

In their last six Gameweeks, they have been outscored by Arsenal and Aston Villa, and have scored the same amount of goals as Wolves and Everton.

Usually such a cool customer, Pep Guardiola cut a frustrated figure in the second half.

His post match interview even suggested more narrow wins could be on the horizon for City.

“We knew how tough it would be. Brighton had a good mentality to play. We had a really good first half and had chances. After we missed a really clear chance in the second half they were better. We need to win these sorts of games. It is a good lesson for us. Every game will be like this.”

Pep Guardiola

City’s win over Chelsea now looks like an anomaly, rather than their other results, and questions still remain over City’s premium attacking assets.

Boy Wonder

If City’s premium attackers are coming under scrutiny, then Foden looks like a great solution.

The “Stockport Iniesta” began the game on the left side of City’s attack, where he cut inside to score a goal on his weaker right foot.

An all-action display saw the England international switch with KDB, Bernardo Silva (£7.4m) and Riyad Mahrez (£8.1m), to pop up on both wings and as a false-nine.

Pep was quick to praise the goalscorer’s versatility, and hinted he may be more assured of a place in the team going forward.

Phil Foden is 20-years-old, look at the starts. The amount of games, the assists compared to the bigger stars in football. Can play both sides, in the middle as a false nine. He is so clever in front of goal. That’s why he deserves to play

Pep Guardiola

Speaking after the match, Foden spoke of wanting to add more goals to his game.

“I don’t score a lot of goals with my right, when I do score them it’s always nice. It was a good goal. I always like to be in the area. I want to score more goals and enjoy the moment.”

Phil Foden

FPL players are going to take a lot more convincing before Foden is rotation proof, but if he can nail down a place in the team then City’s young attacking star will become a must-have.

Paying the Penalty

Raheem Sterling became the latest in a long line of penalty takers to miss a spot kick for Man City.

The substitute, who had only been brought on for the last 10 minutes, surprised many when he stepped up instead of their usual penalty taker, KDB.

And their surprise turned to horror when Sterling skied the penalty in injury time, depriving KDB of another assist and surely three bonus points.

Pep explained the change in taker was down to De Bruyne’s effort throughout the game.

“Kevin is the taker but he made an incredible effort – not just the action to press the keeper and create the penalty but for the rest of the actions before. He was struggling in the last 15 minutes because he was exhausted. I like the guys who take the responsibility for the penalty. It was Raz (Sterling) and next time it will be better.”

Pep Guardiola

This will cause further confusion as to just who is going to take penalties for Man City.

Sterling and KDB have both missed spot kicks this season, and Ilkay Gundogan (£5.5m) spurned a key penalty against Spurs last season.

All this points to frontman Sergio Aguero (£10.3m) being given the responsibility when he returns from injury.

Big at the Back

Another clean sheet for City saw two of their defenders picking up bonus points in a solid display.

Ruben Dias (£5.8m) picked up one of them, and his influence on the back line cannot be understated.

Since arriving from Benfica in the summer for a club record of £65million, Dias has slotted seemlessly into the City defence, marshalling them and barking out orders.

City now have the best defensive record in the league, and before the game, Pep singled out Dias for praise.

“When you buy players always you have this quality but you never know what is going to happen. He is a guy that can play every three days. He recovers immediately and his ability is incredible, as is his understanding of the game. He wants to learn and all of us were impressed how he takes care of his body and mind, every day. We were surprised a lot. The day after [a game] – 8.30 in the morning in the gym. He makes his routine, he eats perfectly. He lives 24 hours for his profession. I can assure you that we signed one incredible player for the next five, six, seven years. That is not easy to find.”

Pep Guardiola

The arrival of Dias has also seen the resurgence of John Stones (£5.0m), whose form was keeping Aymeric Laporte (£6.0m) out of the side even before his injury.

And another option appears to have emerged in their defence, in the shape of Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.5m).

Retaining his place at left-back even with Benjamin Mendy (£5.9m) fit again, Zinchenko looked assured at both ends of the pitch, and bagged two bonus points.

Pep explained before the game how he sees Zinchenko in the same mould as Joao Cancelo (£5.8m), as a full-back who can move into central areas to support the midfield.

As Cancelo has shown this season, that style of play can attract huge bonus points, so it could be worth keeping an eye on Zinchenko for the next few games.

Fresh Faces

Graham Potter yet again tore up his previous team sheet and introduced a number of different players to his line-up.

Bernardo (£3.9m) showed a good range of passing from wing-back and Reda Khadra, not yet priced on the game, looked dangerous with his pace.

But a special mention is reserved for Percy Tau (£5.5m), the South African striker recalled from loan at Anderlecht.

The striker, classed as a midfielder on the game, looked dangerous with threatening runs in behind.

Yet again Brighton displayed a lack of cutting edge against City, but there are hopes the pacey South African striker could provide this.

With Neal Maupay (£6.1m) failing to show the form he hit last year, and injuries to Danny Welbeck (£5.5m) and Aaron Connolly (£5.5m), Tau could be due a long run in the side.

His out of position bonus also makes him an exciting proposition for FPL players.

“We’re excited of course. He’s only been with us for a few days but I think you can see his quality. You can see his ability and what he brings. We’re looking forward to getting to know him better and him getting to know us better.”

Graham Potter

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Zinchenko, Stones, Dias, Cancelo; De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan; Foden (Sterling 82′), B Silva, Mahrez (Jesus 67′).

Brighton and Hove Albion XI (3-4-2-1): Sanchez; Burn, Dunk, Webster; Bernardo, White, Propper (March 68′), Veltman; Tau (Maupay 68′), Trossard (Khadra 86′); Mac Allister.

1,812 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which pair long term?

    A) ESR & Dallas
    B) Soueck & Lowton
    C. Saka & Alisoki

    1. The Frenchie
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      B

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Interesting that was my 3rd choice. Why B?

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

          Prefer Burnley's def over Leeds also wouldn't rely on ESR or Alioski starting every week. If you can bench one of the mid or def then I would probably go with Saka.

          1. Make United Great Again
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            I do have Holding tbh. He’d rotate with Alisoki.

            Rest of the defence is Stones & Coufal.

  2. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Good mornings guys,

    A) Triple Captain (then who?)
    B) Bench Boost
    C) No Bonus

    Fabianski (BUR & WBA)

    Stones (CRY & AVL)
    Dias (CRY & AVL)
    Cresswell (BUR & WBA)
    Coufal (BUR & WBA)

    De Bruyne (CRY & AVL)
    Bruno Fernandes (LIV &FUL)
    Salah (MUN & BUR)
    Maddison (SOU & CHE)

    Vardy (SOU & CHE)
    Bamford (BHA)

    Meslier (BHA) / Holding (NEW) / Smith-Rowe (NEW) / Brewster (TOT)

  3. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    With Villa/New maybe being played on the 23 Jan over the FA Cup weekend, is that GW20 or GW19?

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably depends on when it's rescheduled. Before the deadline - GW19. After the deadline - GW20.

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        good point

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

      I gues if it's announced before GW19 deadline it will be a DGW for Villa in GW19 and if it's announced after GW19 deadline then they will prepone the GW20 deadline giving Villa a DGW20.

  4. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Wish City weren't so awful on offensive set pieces. Dias should really have a goal by now.

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

      I feel so cheated owning both Cancelo & Dias since the past few weeks. Definitely should have had more points. The CHO goal was the worst part about owning both.

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I feel nothing when it comes to FPL now.

  5. FantasyHero
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How does this FH team look? I'm assuming villa has only 1 game

    Fab (is fit ?)
    Robbo chilly cancelo stones coufal
    Sterling/kdb salah Bruno rash
    Antonio

    It could be soucek instead of antonio as well

  6. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Took a -12 for the BGW rather than FH.. not sure what to do for the DGW now?

    Lloris
    Diaz AWB CTaylor Balbuena Ferguson
    Bruno Saka Son KDB Raphina
    Kane DCL Bam

    1. tibollom
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      maybe Kane + raphina to Vardy + another DGW for -4pts

      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Maybe but I'd hold off on vardy move until you sure he's fit.

  7. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Current bench: Steer Adams Dier Bamford

    Which option is the best?

    A. Take a -8 for Steer + Adams -> Areola/Johnstone + Antonio and BB
    B. Save BB and use TC on KdB
    C. Don't use chips at all

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

    Adams/JWP to Antonio & a 6.0 DGW mid for -8?

    If yes, which 6.0mid will you recommend? have Soucek.

    1. L'Aeroplanino
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      slim picking at that price so probably not worth a -8, unless you fancy Gundo or el gazi maybe

  9. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone Salah (TC)?

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nah. Think I might save TC. Bound to be some fixture cancellations and a better opportunity for it down the line.

    2. Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes very tempted

  10. Merlinho
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on Son and DCL to KDB and maybe Brewster (I have Soucek to start going forward) for a hit and possibly triple captain?

    1. tibollom
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yea thinking of same move except salah instad of KDB as already have him.. You got salah?

      1. Merlinho
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yep I have Salah already. Other option is hold this week, possibly triple captain Salah, but I feel like not having KDB going forward is too much of a risk.

  11. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If Villa vs Newcastle gets rearranged in GW19, Bamford -> Watkins would be really tempting albeit it would be for a hit.

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Oh god no. That Watkins guy is a troll

    2. L'Aeroplanino
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      not for a hit

  12. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Son + Dcl to Salah + Brewster for -4pts?

    Lloris
    AWB Dias Balbuena CTaylor Ferguson
    Bruno Son KDB Saka Raphina
    Kane DCL Bam

  13. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How many extra points gained by using FH is a success? We all had about 5 players playing this GW anyway.

    1. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Played WC. Probably gained around 20 odd points approx. With 3 more players to go.

    2. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Only had Lowton Bruno Mitchell Son playing this week. So if I used my FT would have probably just brought in KDB.

      So based on that I'd be on 12 points with 1 to play
      But at mo but with my FH I'm on 48 with 2 to play.

      So Currently 36pts better off.

    3. dansmusen
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kane/Dias/Foden/Bissaka all coming in on a FH so i would say a success and i still got three Arsenal layers left who was not on my regular team

    4. L'Aeroplanino
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      the thing is non-FHers took hits to prepare for both GW18 and 19. I definitely think that you can get more value out of the FH next blank say gw29

  14. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    The case for FH19 is steadily growing in my mind.
    Not sure we will get a better opportunity to pile up DGWers with assured starts and good rest periods over the next GWeeks

    1. Guru Mediation
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The chances of more postponements are too high for my liking

    2. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If Villa vs Newcastle doesn't get rescheduled before the deadline I'll most likely go FH19.

      1. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Wilson on WC would be a masterstoke then 😛

  15. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling is just overpriced Nathan Redmond.

    1. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Missed the game. Why was he taking the penalty? No KdB on the pitch?

      1. Guru Mediation
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Some of the commentators were saying KDB was getting leggy. That's my interpretation

        1. Rolls-Royce
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Shame. Could've been a haul.

  16. -GK22-
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    The Leeds game moving has messed up my plans for the DGW. Teams in tatters but still reluctant to wildcard? Any suggestions?

    A) hold and do a -4/8 to get some city in and TC
    B) wildcard
    C) cry and do nothing

    Double in CAP

    MARTINEZ
    ZOUMA, ROBBO, Dallas
    SALAH, BRUNO, raph, son, JONES
    VARDY, Bamford

    4, dcl, TAYLOR, kilman

  17. DagheMunegu
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench on for dgw 19

    A. Zouma
    B. Coufal
    C. Raphina

  18. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Morning dzzz, messed up last gw by doing watkins >> wilson as opposed to dallas >> maguire. effectively lost 2dgwer's in the process. oh well, need to get over it. Best moves here with 1ft and 1m

    Martinez -- Forster
    Stones Cancelo Coufal Taylor -- Dallas
    Bruno Kdb Rashford Son -- Burke
    Bamford Lacazette -- Wilson

    Assuming Avl. vs Tot is scheduled for gw19
    A: Rashford + Lacazette >> Salah + Antonio (-4) but rashford has a dbl
    B: Ignore salah and do Lacazette >> Antonio
    C: Ignore salah and convert Lacazette >> Grealish (-4) and go 352
    D: Something else

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

      B

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

    Good morning chaps. Commiserations to fellow Sterling owners after that last minute monstrosity. Any opinions on whether Sterling will actually start next game?

    1. Party time
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He will start both imo

    2. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Folks, would you bench boost this lot?

      Martinez Bamford Saka Holding

      Arsenal up against lackluster Newcastle is tempting me to trigger the BB.

      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Think I would yes.
        Bamford might do well vs Brighton

        1. Rolls-Royce
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          If Villa gets the double, it might be well worth it. Also considering Bamford-> Watkins in such circumstances.

    3. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dcl + Podence > Antonio + Foden -4?
      Have no city

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Like Antonio, but Foden might miss one of the games, but he is the man of the moment, so why not.

        1. Weasel Boy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah see him starting 1 but missing the other is my worry.

    4. Guru Mediation
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Morning all

      Kane and Son >> Antonio and Salah (-4)

      Worth it?
      Cheers

    5. Mufc202020
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Morning all,

      How many actually will be TCing KDB this DGW? Slightly concerned with Peps comment after the game about him been exhausted last 15mins. Do we think he’ll actually start both???

    6. matiakez
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Teams got a bit messy

      Johnstone Martinez
      Dias Coufal Dallas Taylor KWP
      Salah Bruno KDB Barnes Lookman
      Kane Bamford Brewster

      0.6 ITB

      Would have liked to BB but other than ditching Kane I just dont see a viable way to upgrade Brewster??

    7. The-Red-1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Still worth a BB with Bamford and the villa lads potentially just having 1?

      Martinez Johnstone
      Chilwell Coufal Dias Maguire Stones
      El Ghazi Bruno Rashford Soucek Sterling (yeah I know)
      Vardy Antonio Bamford

    8. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      RMDGWFHT 🙂

      Alisson
      Stones - Coufal - Dawson
      Salah - KDB - Bruno - Foden - Soucek
      Vardy - Werner

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Perfecto

      2. Party time
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Ederson imo

          1. Party time
              3 years, 2 months ago

              My bad, just seen that you’ve got foden as well.

              Nice team

        • OptimusBlack
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Martinez
          James, Robbo Stones Coufal
          Salah Bruno Son Soucek
          Kane Bamford
          (Forster Dallas Bisso Adams)
          Son + Adams >
          Foden + Cavani or Antonio
          Any thoughts ?

          1. Weasel Boy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah Foden + Anto

            1. OptimusBlack
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Cheers

        • -GK22-
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Taylor, DCL > Stones, Antonio? -4

          Y/N or better options?

          1. Weasel Boy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Looks good

        • Rolls-Royce
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Feels criminal to sell Kane but Kane+Son-> Antonio + Salah is just too good to overlook.

        • camarozz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Would u BB this?

          Mendy(gk)
          Bamford
          Holding

          Didn't FH and have almost full 9 dgwers with Son/Kane

          All chips intact

          1. camarozz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Sorry I have 9 dgwers plus Son/Kane