Sergio Aguero limps out of City’s nine-goal thriller against Arsenal with a calf complaint. Theo Walcott is at the double for the defeated Gunners. Peter Whittingham grabs the winner as Cardiff defeat the Baggies. Marouane Chamakh’s scoring streak continues for Palace, Newcastle’s Yoan Gouffran notches at home yet again, Hull’s home defensive form continues, whilst Seamus Coleman is in the points as Everton hammer Fulham.
City Win Soured by Aguero Worry
Manuel Pellegrini’s side served up yet another incredible display to extend their run to eight straight wins at the Etihad. The 6-3 win takes City’s tally to 35 goals at home – incredibly, only once (in Gameweek 3 against Hull) have they failed to score three or more times in front of their own fans this season as they hammered a Gunners side that had previously conceded a mere five goals on their travels all season.
The win, however, didn’t come without a downside – Sergio Aguero’s withdrawal on 49 minutes being the main negative. Having grabbed his thirteenth goal of the season, the Argentine limped off with the scoreline at 3-1 and his manager admitted after the match his star striker could be set for a spell on the sidelines – a situation which would spark a selling frenzy, with many no doubt targeting Wayne Rooney, depending on the prognosis:
“We think Aguero has a problem with his calf – the doctor will see tomorrow how many weeks he will be out.”
Aguero’s early substitution once again helped Yaya Toure owners for the second time in three matches. With the Argentine off the pitch, Toure slotted home a late spot-kick to continue his record of producing a goal or assist in every home match so far, whilst Alvaro Negredo’s goal means he has produced points in each of the last seven at the Etihad. The City midfield served up points aplenty, with Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, James Milner and Samir Nasri all delivering, as did David Silva in his first league appearance since Gameweek 10. Having dazzled against Bayern in midweek, the Spaniard grabbed another goal before departing the proceedings on 71 minutes, but would-be suitors should note he now moves onto the Suspension Tightrope after picking up his fourth caution of the season yesterday.
Theo Back on the Radar
As Arsenal lick their wounds from the Etihad mauling, their winger’s brace will have made an instant impact on Fantasy managers. Walcott has been tentatively utilised by Arsene Wenger since returning from abdominal surgery but, finally handed his first start since Gameweek 4, he served a timely reminder of his eye for goal by notching twice against a defence that had previously conceded just two goals in their first seven home games. With a home game against a Chelsea side that continues to leak goals preceding showdowns with West Ham, Newcastle, Cardiff, Villa and Fulham, the Gunners are certainly afforded the chance of further attacking returns and Walcott, with a mere 3% ownership, looks an ideal differential now he’s finally back in the fold.
Whittingham Downs Baggies
Cardiff’s ever-present midfielder proved the difference as Malky Mackay’s side clinched a vital 1-0 home win in Steve Clarke’s last match in charge of West Brom. Whittingham’s strike took his tally to two goals and three assists for the season and, with the maximum bonus points also thrown in against the midlands outfit, he has now racked up 61 points this term – more than any other midfielder priced under 7.0. A weekend trip to Liverpool is likely to deter many but, after that, the 5.1 priced midfielder has three home games in four (SOU, SUN, WHM) to continue his ascent up the Fantasy rankings.
Blues Backline Breached Yet Again
It’s one clean sheet in 11 now for Jose Mourinho’s side after a scrappy 2-1 win over Palace. Whilst Ramires and Fernando Torres proved the unlikely goal heroes, John Terry and co once again were unable to deliver the defensive returns against a side that had previously scored just three times on the road. Despite picking up a fifth yellow card of the campaign, Branislav Ivanovic is available for the next league match as he will sit out the midweek cup clash with Sunderland but, as the Blues prepare for clashes against Arsenal and Liverpool in the next three, many will feel it’s time to cash in on our stuttering Chelsea defensive assets.
Chamakh in the Goals Again
The Moroccan continues to thrive under the guidance of Tony Pulis as he grabbed another strike in yesterday’s narrow loss at the Bridge. Having notched just once in the first 13 Gameweeks, Chamakh has now scored in the last three league matches in succession and has clearly benefitted significantly since the former Stoke boss arrived last month – at 4.7, he is starting to look a viable option for those on the hunt for a low-priced forward and has Newcastle, Villa and Norwich in the next four to carry on his recent form.
Gouffran’s Home Comforts Continue
The Frenchman was amongst the goals yet again at St James’ Park in yesterday’s draw with Southampton. While Loic Remy failed to find the net in the 1-1 stalemate, Gouffran extended a run which has now seen him score in each of the last four in front of his own fans, having previously struck against Chelsea, Norwich and West Brom at home – clearly, his move to the left flank in a 4-4-2 hasn’t proved detrimental to the 6.4 priced forward’s potential; he’ll be confident of producing the goods against Palace, Stoke and West Brom in the next four.
Rodriguez Key for Pochettino
After a slow start to the season, the Saints frontman goes from strength to strength for Southampton as his second-half strike denied the Magpies the points. As the attacking returns dry up for Adam Lallana (with attacking points produced once in the last eight) and Rickie Lambert (once in the last seven), Rodriguez has now managed to score or assist in six of his last 10 appearances for Mauricio Pochettino’s side. Coming in at 5.9, he’s another kindly-priced forward to consider but, with Spurs, Everton and Chelsea in the next four, many may be prepared to hold fire until the schedule smiles a little kinder around Gameweek 21.
Tigers Home Consistency
A goalless draw with Stoke last night means that Hull have now conceded a mere three goals in their first eight matches at the KC Stadium – the most impressive home defensive record of any side in the top-flight. Steve Bruce’s men have served up a real source of consistency at the back in front of their own fans but have yet to register a single clean sheet on their travels, making them a relatively easy side to rotate on a home/away basis. Given that United, Chelsea and Spurs are three of their next four visitors, though, the Tigers look set for a testing time of it and, despite their outstanding record thus far, many will be a little apprehensive of investing in light of such a schedule.
Black Cats Picking Up in Resilience
A goalless draw at West Ham took Sunderland’s run to three clean sheets in six, having also kept out City and Villa. Granted, the recent 4-3 home defeat at the hands of Chelsea served a reminder that Gus Poyet has plenty of work still to do but, as the fixtures begin to ease, the Wearside outfit could perhaps be set to offer us some cut-price options to consider as our winter wildcards approach. Sunderland’s matches at the Stadium of Light look particularly promising and, with four home clashes in six from Gameweek 20 onwards (AVL, ful, SOU, STO, new, HUL), the likes of Vito Mannone (4.2), Wes Brown (4.3) and Phil Bardsley (4.4) look standout budget prospects.
Toffees Put the Brakes on Meulensteen’s Revival
Having netted seven times in their previous two home encounters, Everton served up yet another attacking masterclass at Goodison yesterday. The Merseysiders swept Fulham aside with a convincing 4-1 display to temporarily derail their visitors progress under the new man in charge – Rene Meulensteen’s outfit did, however, breach the Everton backline courtesy of a Dimitar Berbatov spot-kick to prevent their hosts from registering a ninth clean sheet of the campaign.
Whilst Everton failed to produce defensive returns, Seamus Coleman owners were in the points once again after the right-back grabbed his third goal of the season, and a couple of bonus points, to reward the 96,000+ FPL managers who drafted him in last week. Romelu Lukaku’s owners were left somewhat disappointed by no more than an assist, though those still holding Kevin Mirallas’ will be a little more optimistic ahead of a superb festive fixture list. The Belgian’s prospects had initially taken a turn for the worse after he was dropped for Gerard Deulofeu but the youngster was subsequently stretchered off with a hamstring injury which his manager reckons will keep him sidelined ”for some time”. Emerging from the bench, Mirallas fired home the hosts’ fourth just before the final whistle and now has three home games (SUN, SOT, NOR) and trips to Swansea and Stoke in the next five to take advantage of.
