A Hugo Rodallega header earns Martin Jol’s side the points and condemns Newcastle to their fifth defeat in six games. Here’s the Stock Check on Monday night’s events…
On the Up
Damien Duff
A brace of assists took the reliable winger to five for the season and made Duff Fulham’s leading Fantasy Premier League points scorer. Duff has been rotated in and out of Martin Jol’s lineup of late but demonstrated his worth and even hinted that, if the Cottagers can get back to goalscoring ways long term, he could present an option, particularly from Gameweeks 19-22 when Fulham face three favourable home fixtures in four.
Steve Sidwell
Another unsung hero in the Fulham ranks, Sidwell was a tireless performer and capped his display with a fourth goal of the season: a strong return for a 5.1 FPL midfielder. Having started the last six, his place seems secure and, like Duff, he could well present a differential for Fulham’s kind schedule from Boxing Day onwards.
Hatem Ben Arfa
The mercurial Frenchman made his return to the Newcastle lineup and reminded of his talents with an equalising goal: his first strike in the league since Gameweek 3. Investment in Ben Arfa looks unlikely given Newcastle’s evil schedule but he’ll be a player expected to enjoy an upturn in 2013 and could yet come into the equation before the season ends.
Going Down
Dimitar Berbatov
The Bulgarian oozed class and was central to Fulham’s attacking ploys throughout; he also had opportunities to notch but the fact remains that Berbatov has now blanked in his last five league outings. With no goal, assist or bonus coming his way since his superb Gameweek 11 performance at the Emirates, it seems likely we’ll see continued sales. His price has dropped from 7.6 to 7.4 in the past two Gameweeks and the fidgeting and steady decline in ownership is likely to continue. Those that hold will be looking beyond the next two away matches and hoping for a change in fortune and, more significantly, a speedy return for Bryan Ruiz as Berbatov’s foil.
The Newcastle Defence
Despite the return of Fabricio Coloccini, Alan Pardew’s back four continued to leak goals: their only clean sheet in the last eleven matches has come against a Wigan side with 10-men for the majority of the match. Away from home, the Magpies have conceded twice in their last three trips. With Man City, United and Arsenal in their next four fixtures, it seems most unlikely that we’ll see an immediate turnaround in fortune.
