Robin Van Persie delivers again to help United to a hard-fought draw at Upton Park, while City’s huff and puff is just enough to earn them the three points courtesy of Carlos Tevez’s brilliance. With Chelsea earning a convincing win at the Cottage with goals from two centre-backs, Wednesday put a lid on a double Gameweek that largely failed to reach the heights anticipated. Here’s the Stock Check on tonight’s Gameweek conclusion…
On the Up
Robin Van Persie
As a disgruntled Wayne Rooney trudged off the pitch on 71 minutes, it was left to Van Persie to earn United a point, producing a fine, if somewhat controversial, finish from a tight angle to return his second goal of the double Gameweek. The Dutchman has timed his return to form perfectly, rewarding those who kept the faith for the two fixtures and promoting a mini-league swing that could well shake-up the season run-in.
Shinji Kagawa
A classy performance from the Japanese international produced two more assists to underline his strong Fantasy potential. In his last five league starts for United, Kagawa has fetched three goals and three assists. Clearly, he will be closely monitored in the pre-season and earmarked as a potential prime target should his role appear more assured.
Andy Carroll
Firmly in the shop window as speculation mounts on his future at Anfield, Carroll has been nothing short of superb in recent weeks. Tonight his bustling style bothered the United back four, although he was perhaps fortunate to remain on the pitch following a challenge on David De Gea. Regardless, Carroll returned the assist for Ricardo Vaz Te’s and has returned a strong 12 points, pre-bonus, over the Gamweek.
David Luiz
A first strike in the league since Gameweek 18 was well worth the wait. Luiz’s effort was a blockbusting 30-yarder that offered a spectacular reminder as to the Brazilian’s attacking flair and potential. Luiz has started six of the last seven under Rafa Benitez and will be another name to monitor next season if he can cement a similarly consistent starting role under the new regime. In the short-term, Luiz could well earn Fantasy interest, although he will likely need to strike again in the double Gameweek 36 given that he faces United and Spurs.
John Terry
Terry deserves our attention by virtue of his two goals at the Cottage but, in truth, his Fantasy potential has waned considerably this term. Terry has been unable to establish regular starts under Rafa Benitez and it remains to be seen if he can regain his status as the defensive stalwart under a new manager at the Bridge.
Carlos Tevez
With Sergio Aguero replaced at half-time, it was left to Tevez to show his qualities with a smart finish to hand City three points that they scarcely deserved. Nonetheless, Tevez’s goal was his fourth in his last six league appearances, emphasising his value to Roberto Mancini’s side and perhaps reviving interest in Tevez prior to City’s forthcoming double Gameweek.
Going Down
Wayne Rooney
Deployed in a midfield role at Stoke at the weekend, Rooney got the opportunity to remind his manager of his worth further up the pitch but fell flat. Rooney’s performance was strangely abject and, with 20 minutes to go and needing a goal, Sir Alex Ferguson hauled him off to replace him with Ryan Giggs. Amidst speculation surrounding his future at the club, it could be that Rooney is distracted and perhaps at odds with the current situation at Old Trafford given the recent roles his been asked to fill.
The City Defence
While tonight brought yet another clean sheet for the Citizen’s rearguard, few Fantasy managers were in profit. With Micah Richards now fit to fill a number of roles and further options in Joleon Lescott, Kolo Toure and Aleks Kolarov, the City back four is unlikely to stay unchanged match-to-match. The schedule ahead of them dictates that they’ll be rotation and Roberto Mancini demonstrated tonight that he’s unlikely to be shy in resting personnel. The shift to three at the back for the second half could also be a concern.
Sergio Aguero
Replaced at half-time, the Argentine was perhaps feeling the effects of Sunday’s semi-final having only recently returned from injury. Aguero will surely be in Mancini’s plans for the trip to White Hart Lane on Sunday but, clearly, there are still doubts surrounding his ability to put in a full shift and with Edin Dzeko available as a “plan b”, Aguero’s pitch time, in the short-term at least, could be a concern for would-be investors.
Dimitar Berbatov
Like Santi Cazorla, Bebertov was a player identified as a potential double Gameweek hot property and yet, over his two matches, the Bulgarian failed to produce. Having gone in Gameweek 33 with five goals in five league starts, Berbatov drew blanks at Villa and tonight against the Chelsea defence and will now doubtless suffer significant sales as Fantasy managers turn to double Gameweek assets.
