A host of Premier League forwards were amongst the goals in last night’s round of matches. Robin Van Persie fires a hat-trick for Holland, Romelu Lukaku, Edin Dzeko, Olivier Giroud and Nicklas Bendtner score two apiece, while Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Alvaro Negredo and Pablo Osvaldo also found the net on an action-packed evening:

Lukaku Fires Belgium into Finals

Everton’s on-loan forward continued his recent relentless form by grabbing both goals as Belgium secured their route to next year’s World Cup with a 2-1 win in Croatia. Marouane Fellaini also turned out for the visitors, having missed United’s previous match due to an ongoing wrist problem.

The Scout Says: Having scored four goals in three games for Everton, the on-loan Chelsea forward has earned himself a substantial bandwagon over the international break. Over 120,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have already acquired him since the end of Gameweek 7 and with Hull, Villa and Palace in the next four, it’s fair to say the interest is set to escalate after last night’s headline-grabbing display. Indeed, Lukaku’s goals may have a knock-on effect on Christian Benteke’s comeback. The Villa man was pencilled in for a possible appearance against Wales next Tuesday but with his country now qualified, there seems little need to risk him, allowing Benteke more time for recuperation from a hip injury ahead of a run of three home games in four for Paul Lambert’s side.

United’s Front Two Amongst the Goals

Robin Van Persie returned to form last night by firing a superb hat-trick in Holland’s home win over Hungary. Van Persie had been rated a doubt prior to the match with a toe injury but shrugged off the problem and played 61 minutes in the 8-1 rout, with his three-goal haul taking his tally to 41 for the Dutch and eclipsing Patrick Kluivert as their most prolific goalscorer. David Moyes was handed further reason for optimism as Wayne Rooney also hit the goal trail, after notching England’s first in a 4-1 triumph over Montenegro.

The Scout Says: Van Persie’s loyal owners will be hoping his strikes finally provides the spark for a run of goals after a hugely unimpressive last few games for United have seen him score once since the season opener at Swansea. Despite a substantial Fantasy exodus over the last few weeks, the Dutchman still retains high ownership in FPL and resides in over 29% of teams – with confidence flourishing after last night’s goal and doubts over his fitness dispelled, he could be poised to take advantage of a run which sees United host Southampton and Stoke in back-to-back games at Old Trafford before making their way to Fulham. With a goal in three of United’s last four league games, Rooney seems reinvigorated under David Moyes and with last night’s effort continuing his recent form, his confidence will be brimming as the champions attempt to find a way past the Saints next time out.

Arsenal’s Attackers Firing

Arsene Wenger also had reason to be cheerful after Olivier Giroud helped steer France to victory in a home friendly against Australia last night. The Arsenal forward – one of seven Premier League starters for the hosts – scored twice in the 6-0 win before being replaced at the break, whilst Newcastle’s Yohan Cabaye and Mathieu Debuchy also grabbed a goal apiece for Les Blues. Elsewhere for the Gunners, Mesut Ozil notched Germany’s third against the Republic of Ireland, Aaron Ramsey missed a spot-kick for Wales in the 1-0 win over Macedonia, while Nicklas Bendtner surprised everyone bar himself by scoring both Denmark’s goals in the draw with Italy.

The Scout Says: Giroud’s Fantasy owners will be hoping he can rediscover his form in the league after a recent run of blanks. Despite notching in the recent Champions League win over Napoli, the Frenchman has failed to score since Gameweek 4, with just an assist accrued over his last three matches – similarly, Ozil has yet to open his domestic account for the Gunners although he also found the net against the Italian outfit. Upcoming games against Norwich and Palace certainly bode well for the in-form duo, whilst Bendtner, for all his endeavours last night, will surely be rewarded with no more tha a bench role against the Canaries.

Contrasting Nights for Sturridge and Suarez

Daniel Sturridge was in the goals once more last night after slotting home a last-minute spot-kick in England’s demolition of Montenegro, while his Liverpool strike partner Luis Suarez had a less than successful evening as Uruguay were beaten 1-0 in Ecuador.

The Scout Says: Although he’s been intermittently been bothered by a thigh injury this season, Sturridge’s prolific campaign shows no sign of slowing down. Last night’s strike means he has now notched nine times in 10 appearances for club and country across all competitions and with a home clash against Poland on Tuesday, he’ll be confident of finally a way past Artur Boruc – the only keeper to have denied him in the league so far. Suarez now faces a home clash with Argentina in the early hours of Wednesday morning before flying home ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Newcastle on Saturday lunchtime. Given that the Magpies shipped three to Hull in their last home game and have conceded in each of their previous four, the duo look to have every chance of continuing the exploits that have harvested five goals between them in the last two league matches.

Tottenham Wide Men Find the Net

Andre Villas-Boas will be pleased with the performances of a couple of his midfielders last night. Gylfi Sigurdsson maintained his recent run of goalscoring by grabbing Iceland’s second in a 2-0 home win over Cyprus, whilst Andros Townsend capped a man of the match display by firing in a long-range effort in England’s win over Montenegro.

The Scout Says: Having scored three of Tottenham’s four league goals since the end of Gameweek 2, Sigurdsson has been one of the few players to produce for the north London side in recent matches. Hauled off just after the hour mark in last week’s home defeat by West Ham, his 10% owners will be a little concerned that Villas-Boas will ring the changes after a poor all-round showing against the Hammers. Townsend’s role on the right came under increased threat this weeks by Aaron Lennon’s return to training, while Erik Lamela must also be edging closer to a first league start as the Spurs boss looks to address the poor attacking poor which has seen him side notch six times in the opening seven Gameweeks.

Schurrle Helps Germany Through

Chelsea’s Andre Schurrle was also amongst the goals last night after he starred alongside Ozil and Per Mertesacker in the 3-0 win over the Republic that clinched Germany’s qualification to next year’s tournament. Stoke’s Marc Wilson turned out for the visitors and has recovered from the rib injury that forced him off against Fulham last weekend.

The Scout Says: Schurrle has yet to find the net for Chelsea since joining up at the Bridge during the summer but Jose Mourinho’s recent team sheets have suggested that the German is starting to nail down a regular role. Despite a multitude of attacking midfield options, Schurrle has now earned a place in the first XI in four of the last five Gameweeks – priced at 7.4 in FPL, he may be worth a gamble if the situation continues, as Chelsea prepare for a run of matches which pits them against eight of the current bottom 10 over the next 11 Gameweeks.

Osvaldo the Spark for Italy

Southampton’s Pablo Osvaldo was the start turn for Italy in last night’s 2-2 draw in Denmark. The summer signing from AS Roma grabbed a goal and assist as the visitors grabbed a last-gasp equaliser to deny the Danes the points.

The Scout Says: After a slow settling-in period in his new surrounds, Osvaldo finally seems to be finding his feet. A goal and assist in the Gameweek 6 win over Palace merely hinted at the talent that grabbed 16 goals in Serie A last term and while a Gameweek 8 trip to United may prove problematic, the Italian international than squares up to Fulham, Stoke and Hull and looks in the mood to produce as Mauricio Pochettino’s side look to retain their spot in the top four before the fixtures take a turn for the worse.

Dzeko and Negredo Both Notch

The Bosnian served a reminder of his eye for goal last night by notching twice as his country swept aside Liechtenstein 4-1 at home. Dzeko lasted the full 90 minutes as the hosts moved a step closer to qualification, while Negredo grabbed the winner for Spain at home to Belarus after climbing off the bench to replace Michu just before the hour mark.

The Scout Says: Although he seems to have fallen out of favour at City, Dzeko’s form could yet bring him back into contention. Handed a starting role in the 3-2 defeat at Villa in Sergio Aguero’s absence, he managed to find the net but was immediately dropped for the following game at home to Everton. With Negredo now starting each of the last four under Manuel Pellegrini, however, the Bosnian may have to accept bench-warming duties for City’s upcoming trip to West Ham, in spite of last night’s brace – Negredo’s late winner for the Spaniards continued his scoring streak after he found the net in Saturday’s win over Everton.

Olsson Key for Swedes

Norwich’s Martin Olsson played a crucial role in his nation’s 2-1 home win over Austria. The left-back opened the scoring as the hosts moved six points ahead of their visitors in second place in Group C – Stoke’s Marko Arnautovic made the headlines for all the wrong reasons after receiving his marching order just before the final whistle.

The Scout Says: Olsson seems to be benefitting from a recent stint in the Canaries first XI. Handed a chance in Gameweek 6 at Stoke due to an injury to Javier Garrido, the left-back kept his place for last weekend’s game against Chelsea despite the Italian’s return to full fitness; a suggestion that Olsson may have edged ahead in the pecking order. While trips to Arsenal and City in the next three will deter many suitors, Chris Hughton’s side are now poised for a decent run of fixtures in front of their home fans – with Cardiff, West Ham and Palace the next three visitors, home clean sheets may well be on the cards at Carrow Road.