Robin Van Persie hits three past Villa as United clinch the title at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney is shifted deeper again as Sir Alex Ferguson’s side register their eighth clean sheet in the last 10 Gameweeks. Elsewhere, Michael Turner is a doubt for Norwich this weekend, Arsenal appeal Olivier Giroud’s red card, while Antolin Alcaraz may miss Wigan’s home game with Tottenham this weekend:
Van Persie Runs Riot to Seal the Title
The Dutchman picked the perfect opportunity to serve up his highest Fantasy Premier League (FPL) haul of the season last night. A hat-trick and maximum bonus harvested a 17 point return and not only helped United to the title, it enabled Van Persie to overtake Luis Suarez in the race for the Golden Boot. Prior to last week’s double, he had scored once in eight Gameweeks – with strikes against Stoke and West Ham supplementing last night’s haul, he has now scored five times in eight days as Sir Alex Ferguson clinched a 20th league crown for the Red Devils. With the Uruguayan looking set for a lengthy ban, Van Persie now seems unstoppable in his quest to finish his debut season at United as top scorer in the Premier League – he is just six behind last term’s tally of 30 for Arsenal, though now travels to his former club next weekend before playing host to Chelsea. Having faltered over the early part of spring, he’s flourishing once again and with United now needing to win their remaining four matches to set a new points record, Ferguson may well decide against rest and rotation up top as he looks to finish the season with a flourish.
Rooney Drops Deep Again
Having been shifted back up front for the previous match with West Ham, Wayne Rooney’s owners were hopeful of a return to the form that had harvested five goals in six games prior to last week’s double. It wasn’t to be, however, as the former Everton man was deployed in a withdrawn role alongside Michael Carrick, with Shinji Kagawa tucking in behind Van Persie instead. Rooney managed just a single assist and was once more subbed off around the 70 minute mark by his manager –those who chose to invest in him for last week’s ahead of Van Persie will be bitterly disappointed as to how events have since transpired, given he had seem a genuinely viable alternative. At 12.0 in FPL, his owners will be looking to sell and with Luis Suarez owners also shopping for replacements, a frontline shake-up can be expected over the next few days.
Jones’ Versatility Proving Key
With Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand both handed the night off, Phil Jones partnered Jonny Evans in central defence but in spite of the alterations, the hosts held steady to register an eighth clean sheet in the last 10 Gameweeks. Even if Ferguson maintains this rest and rotation policy at the back, Jones’ versatility looks set to earn him further game time and perhaps boost his appeal over other United defenders. The last few matches have seen him play at right-back and in central midfield and, having missed the vast majority of the season through injury, fatigue is certainly not an issue for the former Blackburn man.
In Other News
Chris Hughton admitted he is sweating on the availability of Michael Turner after the centre-half was subbed off within 20 minutes of last weekend’s win over Reading.
“We certainly would’ve liked Michael to have stayed on. We’re not sure how bad it is. He’s felt his groin and we’re hoping it will be slight.”
Turner had scored in each of Norwich’s previous couple of Gameweeks before limping off against the Royals and had recently risen in price as a result of his exploits. With a trip to Stoke followed by back-to-back home games with Villa and West Brom, the potential of clean sheets looks enticing for Hughton’s side – Turner’s owners are likely to hold until further prognosis, though Russell Martin is similarly priced at 4.3 in FPL for those looking for a route into the Norwich defence.
Arsenal have confirmed they have appealed Olivier Giroud’s sending off against Fulham on Saturday afternoon. The Frenchman is currently set to serve a three-match suspension, meaning he would miss games against United, QPR and Wigan, to return on the final day of the season against Newcastle but the Gunners are optimistic the ban will be overturned. Giroud’s absence may be set to afford Lukas Podolski a chance to lead the line after Arsene Wenger talked up the German’s capabilities in a central role prior to Giroud’s Craven Cottage dismissal, though Theo Walcott owners are also hoping he can be utilised centrally again after operating on the right flank for the vast majority of the season. The FA are expected to make a decision on the matter later today.
Reports indicate Wigan could be without key defender Antolin Alcaraz for next weekend’s crucial home encounter with Tottenham. The Paraguayan was subbed off after just 15 minutes of last weekend’s defeat at West Ham with a hamstring problem and the initial prognosis is believed to be around seven to 10 days, though he is set for further tests this week in order to ascertain the full extent of the damage. The Latics had conceded just three goals in the previous four with Alcaraz in the first XI after he recovered from a long-term groin injury – with a double Gameweek 36 just around the corner, his presence in the back-three will undoubtedly boost their chances of defensive returns as Roberto Martinez attempts to engineer a last-ditch scramble to safety.
