Michu is at the double as Swansea clinch victory at the Emirates. Jose Enrique returns to defence as Liverpool scrape past Southampton, Jermain Defoe scores twice as Spurs see off Fulham, Marouane Fellaini finds the net yet again, Stoke register clean sheet number seven, while Wayne Rooney’s brace helps United squeeze past Reading in a seven-goal thriller at the Madejski:
Unstoppable Michu
It’s four goals in his last four and 10 for the season for the Swansea man as yesterday’s Emirates brace saw him leap to the top of the FPL midfielder standings with a 13 point haul, with three bonus points surely set to follow. Handed a role in “the hole†once again, with Itay Shechter leading the line, Michu shows no sign of slowing down in an extraordinary debut campaign under Michael Laudrup. The third most popular FPL midfielder, Michu has over 35% ownership but a current kind 7.5 price tag is likely to see him earn further new suitors in spite of a tricky short-term schedule; he faces Spurs and United in the next three, in addition to a weekend home clash against a stubborn Norwich rearguard that has shipped just three goals in the last seven. The fact that he also sits on four yellows, just a single caution away from a one-match ban, is unlikely to dim his appeal. Laudrup was, understandably, full of praise for his Summer acquisition, post-match….
“We know goalscorers go through periods where they score everything, but there are also times when they don’t. But he isn’t just a goalscorer. He works so hard all the time and is an important player for us.”
Gunners Fire Blanks
Although Arsenal had notched just once in their previous two, both matches had been on the road and their recent home form had helped Arsene Wenger’s side pick up plenty of Fantasy interest ahead of their Emirates showdown with Swansea. The Gunners had scored eight times in their last couple of games in front of their own fans, while the visitors’ record of one clean sheet in 12 suggested goals were on the agenda for the hosts. With Theo Walcott passed fit, there was plenty reason for optimism ahead of kick-off, but the 2-0 reverse may well deter would-be investors from bringing in Arsenal assets, despite a superb upcoming run of games. Olivier Giroud could well be set for an exodus after Wenger dropped him for the first time since Gameweek 6, though Gervinho’s insipid showing as the lone frontman may afford the Frenchman a quick return to the first XI for next weekend’s home clash with West Brom.
Enrique Back in Defence
Jose Enrique had picked up substantial Fantasy investment after being fielded on the left of Liverpool’s front three in the last couple of games but yesterday’s game with Southampton saw his appeal take a tumble. The Spaniard was shifted to left-back as Jonjo Shelvey moved up top after Lucas returned from injury, with Glen Johnson remaining at right-back and Andre Wisdom missing out once again. While the 1-0 win saw the Reds rack up their fourth clean sheet in the last five at Anfield, Enrique’s out of position role now looks in real danger – a strong run of upcoming fixtures should see his new investors happy to hold for now, however.
Suarez Falls off the Tightrope
He’s been sitting on four yellows for a number of games but Luis Suarez finally picked up the caution that earns him a one-match ban yesterday. A handball in the second-half against Southampton means the Uruguayan will now sit out the weekend trip to West Ham, though with home games against Villa, Fulham and Sunderland in the following five, his 31% FPL owners will likely be content to ride out the weekend with Suarez on the bench. Having earned a recall this weekend, Jonjo Shelvey would seem the favourite to lead the attack at Upton Park – he is available as a 5.2 midfielder in the Fantasy Premier League game and 4.5 in the Sky Sports game.
Fulham Faltering Up Front
Martin Jol’s side have now gone three games without a goal – a run coinciding with Bryan Ruiz’s absence due to a hamstring injury. The Cottagers had been one of the most lethal attacking forces in the opening 11 Gameweeks, scoring two or more goals in seven of those opening fixtures, but seem to have lost their way of late. Dimitar Berbatov’s owners will be more than a little apprehensive but with Ruiz returning to training next week and an upcoming schedule handing Fulham three home games and a trip to QPR in the next five, the prospects still look appealing. Jol was looking to his returning players when searching for positives, post-match…
“Hangeland is coming back, Bryan Ruiz is coming back, so hopefully if everyone is on the board we can try to get back on the winning track.”
Defoe at the Double
The Spurs forward has responded superbly to being dropped for Emmanuel Adebayor in the Gameweek 11 trip to City. Defoe grabbed a double as Spurs swept aside London rivals Fulham and has now returned four goals and an assist in his last four – while Adebayor is now back from a three-match suspension next weekend, it seems highly unlikely Andre Villas-Boas will omit Defoe from his first XI for the trip to Everton. His 8.0 price tag and upcoming run of fixtures looks set to hand Defoe plenty opportunity to pick up the points – he has now moved up to fourth in the FPL forward standings after yesterday’s display.
Bale Hamstring Worry
Transferred in by huge numbers after his midweek goal and assist against Liverpool, Gareth Bale’s Fantasy owners were dealt a blow after a hamstring problem the winger limped off on the hour mark at the Cottage. Andre Villas-Boas revealed post-match:
“With muscle injuries it’s very difficult, but it might keep him out for one to two weeks.”
Booked for simulation in the 3-0 win, Bale now moves onto the suspension tightrope on four yellows, a single caution away from an automatic one-match ban but with an eye-catching schedule on the horizon, many are likely to hold and await a midweek prognosis ahead of next weekend’s trip to Goodison. Villas-Baos also lost Michael Dawson to a hamstring problem – he later stated that he hoped that Dawson could still be in contention for the Everton trip next Sunday.
Mancini Continues to Tinker
We should have known better. Just when it seemed Matija Nastasic looked a regular at the back, Roberto Mancini’s penchant for rotation got the better of him as Joleon Lescott was drafted in to partner Vincent Kompany at centre-half. Nastasic had started each of the last six – a run that saw his side concede a single goal – but Lescott’s return saw Joe Hart beaten for the first time since Gameweek 11. Mancini’s decision to bench Sergio Aguero caused further frustration and, even though Carlos Tevez earned his first start since Gameweek 12 and converted a spot-kick, he was replaced by Aguero on 68 minutes with Edin Dzeko kept on the pitch. Mancini had this to say on that particular decision…
“Our strikers aren’t firing on all cylinders at the moment and not scoring enough goals, but they worked hard today and they will have periods like that during the season. I took Carlos off because I thought Dzeko might get us another goal – I have my reasons for making the change, but that takes nothing away from Carlos who played very well.”
It’s uncertain just how much the upcoming Champions League game with Dortmund played a part in Mancini’s thinking but it’s clear that investing in any of City’s frontline continues to come with a real risk – David Silva seems the safest route for those eyeing up their attacking potential as the champions looks to claw back a three-point deficit on United at the top.
Fellaini Finds the Net Again
Another game, another goal for the Belgian as Everton grabbed a point at the Etihad. Fellaini’s outstanding consistency means he has now scored or assisted in each of his last six, with his role behind Nikica Jelavic providing a constant source of points. With the form Fellaini is in this season, fixtures are clearly irrelevant – he’s also netted against the likes of United and Arsenal and with five lots of double figures to his name, continues to look outstanding value at 7.6 in FPL. Similar to Michu, his 37% ownership looks set to rise yet again, as the template midfields show little sign in breaking up as we approach the festive period.
Potters Produce Defensive Points Again
Stoke chose the perfect occasion to register their first away clean sheet since Gameweek 8 with a 1-0 win in the midlands derby at West Brom. Tony Pulis’ side have mainly kept their best defensive displays for the Britannia – two goals against and five clean sheets at home, compared to one clean sheet and 10 goals against heading into yesterday’s Hawthorns showdown. Fourteen Gameweeks into the season, the Potters have conceded more than one goal just twice – against Wigan in Gameweek 3 and United in Gameweek 8 – and with a couple of save points also accrued yesterday, Asmir Begovic moved to the top of the FPL keeper standings, with 67 points.
Baggies’ Back Four Falters
While the Stoke defence flourishes, West Brom’s has given us cause for concern, just as their fixture list looked strong. They have now gone five without a clean sheet and Steve Clarke made a string of changes to yesterday’s lineup, notably dropping Liam Ridgewell to the bench to allow Goran Popov a start at left-back. Billy Jones was also absent, with Steven Reid recalled at right-back. While Jones was missing through illness, he is clearly under threat from Reid, while Ridgewell’s starts will also be a concern following yesterday’s teamsheet.
Benitez Gets the Blues
Three games into his tenure as interim Chelsea manager and Rafa Benitez is already up against it. The defensive resolve that had produced clean sheets in each of his first two disappeared as West Ham tore into the visitors after the break to fire three past Petr Cech – disappointing the huge number of Fantasy managers who had drafted in the likes of Ashley Cole and Branislav Ivanovic heading into yesterday’s Upton Park clash. While Juan Mata again highlighted his capabilities with a goal upon his first-team return, the upcoming couple of Gameweeks may see us look for alternatives – a tricky trip to Sunderland, followed by a blank, is far from enticing. Factor in Benitez’s rotation policy and Chelsea are rapidly losing their appeal as the Gameweeks go by under the new man in charge.
Rooney Back in the Goals
Quite incredibly, prior to yesterday’s trip to Reading, Wayne Rooney had found the net in just one of United’s opening 14 matches. Although Robin Van Persie’s summer arrival has clearly dented Rooney’s goalscoring potential, with the former Everton man dropping deep when Sir Alex Ferguson has chosen to roll out his midfield diamond, Rooney’s creativity has helped him pick up the points, with seven assists to his name already. While Van Persie took his tally to the season to 10 goals in last night’s 4-3 thriller, the pair have been closer for FPL points returns when starting games together than perhaps expected. Rooney has appeared alongside the Dutchman eight times in Sir Alex Ferguson’s first XI and the former Arsenal man has only bettered Rooney’s score by 57 to 51, prior to bonus points from the Madejski match. With a FPL ownership of less than 7% and a price of 11.7 to Van Persie’s 13.7, Rooney could pick up further investment going on last night’s display, with his continued spot-kick duties furthering his differential appeal.
Ferguson’s Defence Leaks Again
Despite victory, Ferguson was understandably distraught at the defending that had seen his side allow Reading to expose them time and time again in the opening half. The United back four have now kept just a single clean sheet in eight matches.
“It was unbelievable. It was really bad defending and the worst we’ve been this season. We need to sort that out. Every time the ball came near our box you were just praying! It is not a question of our character at all, not with these boys. It’s down to us and if you make mistakes like that when you are defending, you are going to have to perform rescue jobs every week and today was yet another rescue job. There were still a lot of plus points in the sense of the boys never gave in and they showed a great determination to get over the line. And that’s what it was about today – getting over the line.”
Worryingly, Rafael was replaced on 31 minutes in a tactical substitution after picking up an early booking – Chris Smalling replaced him with Ferguson citing this as a factor that helped his side cope with set-plays in the second half. With Smalling and Phil Jones available, Ferguson clearly has options in this position and we’re waiting on this to bite when it comes to Rafael’s pitch-time.
Interestingly, prior to the Reading clash, Ferguson gave us some insight into his thinking regarding the rotation of his goalkeepers, stating that Anders Lindegaard was firmly in the box seat going into the game…
“I am not happy to rotate all the time – I don’t think that creates consistency. That’s why I kept Anders in on Wednesday [against West Ham]. I could easily have changed it again but as I said before he has done nothing wrong. David is fine. He is still young. He had that tooth infection and had to have two teeth out which meant his jaw was quite badly swollen. We gave him that time off. But Anders has come in and done well. It is one of those situations where there is no actual reason to leave Anders out in terms of form. Hopefully David understands that – there is no long term issue there.”
It will be interesting to see if Lindegaard becomes a casualty of the three goals conceded at Reading, although, it has to be said that De Gea’s ability at crosses can also be cited as a weakness in his game.
Ferguson can at least take some comfort from the fact that Nemanja Vidic is closing in on a return. Reports prior to the Reading clash stated that the Serb could come into contention for United’s Champions League clash with CFR Cluj. The return of Vidic to league action would cause a shake-up in the United defence, with Jonny Evans’ starting role certainly called into question.
There was less positive news for United on the injury front, post-match, with Ferguson confirming that Anderson had suffered a hamstring injury against Reading, a set-back that would keep him sidelined for a number of weeks…
“It’s a hamstring unfortunately. He’ll be out for a few weeks…He’s been playing really well and scored a great goal today. I’m very disappointed for him.”
